To what extent was this a period of industrial boom?
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• There was also the possible misapprehension that the boom was caused by free trade.
• There was too great a dependence on single industries such as textiles.
• When the American Civil War broke out, the supply of the vital raw material – cotton – dried up. Lancashire was devastated and the workhouses could not cope.
• Countries that were to be future rivals – USA, Germany – were involved in wars, from which Britain benefited.
• There was little or no investment in vital areas such as coal cutting. It was still done by a man with a pick.
• However, Henry Bessemer made vital inventions in steel manufacturing in 1856, and a product of real quality produced in 1858 in Sheffield, but it took a long time for the benefits of steel to be known.
• There was too great a dependence on world trade.

Other Notes in this Category

1. How important were the railways to Great Britain?
2. To what extent was this a boom time for British agriculture?
3. To what extent was this a period of industrial boom?
4. What was the impact of the repeal of the Corn Laws?
5. What were the main developments in agriculture during this period?
6. What were the main weaknesses in British agriculture during this period?
7. Why was this such a period of growth for British industry?

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