Cotton was also a main industry and in the revolution there were new supply routes through the empire. These were more effective than the sea routes and it opened many new exports up, such as cloth and dye.
The slave trade was an old industry but in the industrial revolution it was booming as the new empire brought in people from all walks of life. Unfortunately the trade was very racist so anyone who was not 'of the same class' as the English. This meant that they would be sent to work, for no money in factories on working the land in plantations growing coffee or bananas. Millions of black Africans were sent to the Americas and West Indies to work on these and they were treated very badly.
Many important individuals invented, discovered or pioneered new things. These people were the forefathers of the modern civilisation. One of them was called James Watt and he revolutionised the steam engine and rotary motion that would power all machines in the industrial world. Another man was Isambard Kingdom Brunel and he pioneered the steel ship. Many people thought, at the time, that metal could not float and only wood could. He proved them wrong and found out how to power ships using Watt's steam power.
Improved transport was another large reason and supply routes became reliable as new transport methods could handle rough seas or steep hills, i.e. Steam trains. Raw materials became cheaper as they were easier to transport to the factories. Thus, products became cheaper and so on. The transport meant that it was quicker to travel so new ideas could spread very quickly, but before the industrial revolution it would take days to travel.
The empire was bigger than Rome's so opened up easy trading. It was not all good, as many countries wanted their independence so wars were fought, such as the American War of Independence.
The most important reason of the industrial revolution was the growth of trade and business. People involved in trade were wealthy and this money was invested in developing industry. New supplies of materials were made and new factories were set up which provided people with jobs. Some rich businessmen spent their money on land and property so they could build up factories and villages.
The reason why Britain was so powerful was because it depended on trade and industry. The industrial revolution was started because of trade and it made Britain and its empire thrive.
