History 102: Industrialization spreads, 1815-1914

POINTS ABOUT CHART:

· All equal in 1750, with Britain edging SLIGHTLY ahead

· By 1800 Britain had opened up a lead, on which it built over century

· Variations in timing of industrialization across countries, from Belgium to Russia

· By 1900 USA and Germany closing on Britain

· USA surpassed Britain by 1913

· All European countries, even Russia, did very well relative to the Rest

Disadvantages for industrialization in Europe:

· Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

· Less capital available

· Hard to compete with GB goods

· Hard (at first) to import technology

· Increasingly expensive to start up

· Workers lacked skills  

Advantages in Europe:

· Putting-out system

· Could borrow latest technology from GB

· Strong independent governments

· States willing to play a greater role in industrialization:

o Belgium

o France

o Prussia

o Russia

· Limited liability corporations