The British Industrial Revolution (the series)

Learn about one of the great leaps forward in human material progress.

The British Industrial Revolution is one of the great transformations in the material standard of living for the masses in world history. We cannot understand material progress without coming to grips with its importance.

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This Substack column and my book series is devoted to understanding the origins and causes of material progress. One of the most important phases in those origins is the Industrial Revolution in Britain. It is one of the most studied and misunderstood periods in economic history. While I disagree with most economic historians that it was the beginning of human material progress, it was clearly one of the breakthroughs that spread progress throughout the globe.

This article collects links to my articles that I wrote on this topic. I try to make each article self-standing, but I would recommend reading the articles in the displayed order.

Enjoy reading!

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Table of Contents for the “British Industrial Revolution” series:

1. Why did the Industrial Revolution happen in Britain?

2. Did the British Industrial Revolution occur in the 17th century?

3. The historical significance of the Industrial Revolution in Britain

4. A deeper dive:

   1. What the British Industrial Revolution Actually Was: Clearing Up the Biggest Debates

   2. Explaining Britain’s Industrial Revolution: The Major Theories

   3. Why Scholars Still Can’t Agree on the causes of Britain’s Industrial Revolution

   4. What Actually Triggered Britain’s Industrial Revolution

   5. How the Railroad Transformed Britain and Enabled Global Economic Growth

   6. The Industries that Built British Railroads

   7. The Industrial Revolution Came from the Least Profitable Industries

   8. Why Pre-Industrial England Expanded Coal and Iron Industries Long Before They Were Profitable

5. More articles coming soon!
   Subscribe for free so you do not miss any.

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If you enjoyed reading this series of articles, you might also be interested in reading my “From Poverty to Progress” book series: