INDUSTRY in EMEHow much did it change 1558 - 1667

Intro

English Industry was considered backward in 1558 – by 1700 it was best in Europe.

In 1558 was only a way to provide jobs for the poor – by 1667 it was one of the ‘engines of the state’.

This engine increased national power and prosperity.

Was there an Industrial Revolution?

Main areas of Industry

Was there an Industrial Revolution?

Industrial Revolution = rapid increase in output based on new methods, either in technology or organisation, or both.

Many historians and economists believe agriculture has to change before industry can change (they base this idea on what is happening in Africa now)

In 1920’s and 30’s J.U. Nef argued there was a’ Tudor’ revolution btw 1540-1640. Based his assumption on change in Coal industry.

By late 1930’s his views were being challenged by other historians.

Industrial Revolution?

Historians such as Coleman, Deane and Fisher said that the changes that took place were too narrow to be a ‘proper’ revolution.

It is important to remember that in 16th and 17th C industry existed to meet the needs of the people of its OWN time – not those in the future.

COAL

Seen as substitute for wood – especially for the poor

Used in industries which involved boiling of liquids Brewing; salt boiling; dyeing cloth.

Most development of coal mines was small scale though – hardly industrial revolution stuff?

IronMining

Iron industry largest metal industry in England. Went from 5000 tons / year in 1558 to 25000 in

1660’s.

Technical innovations – development of blast furnace to take over from bloomery to extract iron. Blast furnaces were more efficient at heating so

produced more iron, but only cast iron, not wrought iron.

Bloomery and Blast Furnace

Smaller scale industries

Normally designed for domestic consumption.

Collectively, more important than major industries = served local market, and day-to-day requirements.

Eg. Brewing Baking Milling (of wheat into grain and then into flour) Leather making Clothes makers in all towns

CLOTH INDUSTRY

Outside agriculture, cloth industry biggest employer in EME

Many diff. types of cloth Traditional heavy broadcloth Worsteds (middle weight) Lighter cloth – called New Draperies

Cloth industry suited “putting out” system. Many people doing a part of the process individually.

Technology didn’t allow for larger scale production

Took advantage of people who were ‘underemployed’