Text | Lanzi Ji
Ed Lanzi Ji
In the long history of mankind, the rise of any powerful empire cannot avoid the fact of its colonial expansion.
But there is no doubt that Britain, as a speeder of the times, is undoubtedly a shining chapter in human history in the brilliant industrial revolution after colonization.
Colonization of India by European countries from 1510 to 1775
In the long history of mankind, there is one era that stands out - the 18th century to before the First World War, known as the golden age of the British Empire.
In the middle of the 19th century, the history of British colonization in India began to emerge, and the process was full of twists and turns. Now, I would like to sort out that shocking history for you in concise language.
First, let's start with Portugal. In the late 16th and early 18th centuries, the Portuguese established a solid colonial base in India, and the regions of Zhuoa and Karabat were included in their territory.
In the Indian trade sector, Portugal had important trade routes for ceramics and spices, particularly on the Malabar Coast and the Bay of Bengal. This balance was changed only later when Dutch influence expanded into India.
The Dutch joined the British in their efforts against India in the mid-17th century, with a focus on the areas of Korymen, Kailara, and Kangdi.
As for the British, despite the growing influence of Portugal and the Netherlands in India, they could not stop the rise of British power.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the British East India Company entered the Indian market strongly, gradually establishing trading bases in Madras, Mumbai and Calcutta, making British influence in India increasingly powerful.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, France also joined the race, with its center of gravity in Kolbor and Punjab.
On Indian soil, Britain and France fought many wars, the most notable being the Karnataka War and the Third Indian War, which lasted for seven years.
After a difficult struggle, Britain finally reached hegemony in India in the 18th century, and since then it has established its glorious colonial rule over India for more than 100 years.
However, the British colonial era did not end there.
After 1765, the British East India Company relied on treaties, war, and diplomacy to bring all parts of India under British rule, further consolidating its colonial dictatorship.
After that, India began to come under the administration of the British Parliament. This history has undoubtedly had a profound and long-term impact on Indian society, culture and economy, not only shaping the way of life of the Indian people, but also shaping the political environment of India today.
The British colonization of India around the 19th century was complex and long.
It is undeniable that during this period, the competitive and cooperative relationship between the European powers has promoted India's economic, social, and cultural development in an all-round way.
Revolt of the North American colonies of 1774-1783
In that hot land called America, the spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement is like fire. This period of time precisely covered the glorious course of the American people rising up to resist and pursue independence, that is, the well-known American Revolutionary War.
The beginning of the story can be traced back to the early spring of 1774, when the leaders of the American colonies fearlessly held the first Continental Congress in response to British human rights abuses, particularly the tight blockade of Boston Harbor.
Two years later, on April 19, 1775, the Battle of Lexington and Concord began, a conflict that marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
This brave operation for justice was the first confrontation between the American militia and the British Red Coats.
On July 4, 1776, the famous Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and many other brave men, officially declared the United States completely free from British control.
However, the growth of the kingdom has not been smooth sailing, and the oppression of the enemy army has not stopped, and they are still trying to regain the lost land.
A year later, in the late autumn of 1777, at the Battle of Saratoga, the American forces skillfully combined to defeat the British, successfully turning the tide of the battle and winning France's unwavering support for their independence struggle.
Three years later, in October 1781, with the sound of artillery in Yorktown, the American army used the strength of France to attack the British army again, making the military situation of the British army in North America even worse. At this point, victory in the American Revolutionary War was in sight.
Finally, on a golden autumn day in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, putting an end to the arduous but glorious War of Independence.
The agreement not only honors the identity of the United States as an independent nation, but also clearly delineates new national boundaries.
Agriculture in England 1700-1800
In the 1700s, Britain entered the most significant revolutionary phase in its agricultural history, the Agricultural Revolution.
During this period, people actively explored and tried various and all-round agricultural reform measures, which led to the innovation of agricultural technology and the formation of an agriculture-oriented economy, which effectively enhanced agricultural production efficiency and greatly improved the quantity and quality of crops and livestock.
In the early years of the British Agricultural Reform, farmers cultivated different crops in rotation to maintain soil quality, and the layout of farmland was shifted from scattered and independent small houses to large contiguous farms with larger acres of land.
These are all aimed at maximizing the efficiency of agricultural production. Although these changes are not universally applicable, they have laid a solid foundation for the comprehensive promotion of agricultural mechanization.
Second, the paddock movement changed the original state of equal division of arable land on a large scale, so that large tracts of land became privately owned by large landowners. While this change has stimulated an increase in agricultural productivity, it has also left some farmers in poverty.
However, this kind of change is undoubtedly the only way in the historical process, and it is also the inevitable price to be paid for social progress.
Let's talk about the boom in the livestock industry-led agricultural model.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the rapid rise of livestock farming in the northern regions, especially England and Scotland, led to a gradual reduction in cultivated land and a shift to a pasture-based agricultural system.
With the popularization of animal husbandry, the agricultural structure has been significantly adjusted, and the growth of animal husbandry has been accelerated.
In addition to the above-mentioned agricultural reforms, Britain in the 18th century also successfully introduced a variety of new crops, such as potatoes, corn and tomatoes. This not only enriches the types of crops, but also brings new vitality to agriculture.
Agricultural innovations like these gave a comprehensive impetus to the development of British agriculture and laid a solid foundation for the Industrial Revolution that followed.
It is worth mentioning that the agricultural revolution also profoundly changed the political and economic landscape.
Innovations in agricultural technology have increased crop and livestock yields, and have also led to a decline in food prices. The economic system of this period also implemented mercantilist policies, trying to cultivate domestic consumption and promote the rapid development of manufacturing.
The Agricultural Revolution in England in the eighteenth century was of great significance: it not only led to a dramatic change in the way agriculture was produced, but also triggered a whole host of unprecedented economic, technological, and social changes, thus giving birth to the leaders of the Industrial Revolution and leading the pace of world modernization.
British industry 1715-1815
From 1715 to 1815, Britain experienced the baptism of the Industrial Revolution and entered a new stage of development.
It is characterized by the magnificent rise of the cotton spinning industry and the coal and steel industries, as well as the profound transformation of the transportation and commercial financial systems. With the revolutionary advancement of the textile industry, it will surely lead the industrial revolution into a new era.
Technological innovation leads the textile industry into a new era.
Historic figures such as John Kay Card's Shuttle, James Hargreaves' Springett spinning machine, Richard Axel's water-powered spinning machine, and Samuel Curtis's carding machine.
Many inventions have greatly improved the production efficiency and reduced the production cost in the textile process.
At the same time, the rise of the coal and steel industries in the mid to late 18th century laid a solid foundation for the industrial revolution to flourish.
Abraham Darby's original blast furnace technology and Henry Bosch's hot-rolled steel technology both contributed to the boom in the steel industry.
In addition, the initial rise of machine building ushered in an epochal change in the role of craftsmen in the entire industrial process.
Thomas Newcomen's steam engine and James Watt's improved steam engine gave new life to factory transportation, which led to the deepening of the Industrial Revolution and inspired more technological innovations.
In particular, the means of transport and communication were further improved, such as the Bristol Canal in the 1790s, which greatly enhanced the country's infrastructure and made it easier to transport raw materials and products.
With the pace of industrialization, the commercial financial system has undergone reform and innovation.
During the same period, the capitalists actively expanded their banking business and established joint stock companies, which changed the structure of the financial market and provided the necessary support for future industrial investment and commercial activity.
This revolution in the mechanism with cotton spinning, iron and steel, and machinery manufacturing as the core content has not only brought about a substantial increase in productivity and consumption capacity, but also triggered a profound change in the social structure.
It enabled Britain to catch up with other industrial powers in a short period of time and become the center of the world economy, and also laid an indispensable foundation for the long-term development of human society.
Traffic 1760-1830
During the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, from the 1760s to the mid-19th century, the British transport system underwent profound and lasting changes and progress.
This historic transformation is a testament to the tremendous advantages that the UK's transport sector has gained in terms of rapid productivity, industrialization and socio-economic development.
First of all, we cannot ignore the development of the canal. From the 1760s to the early 19th century, Britain saw a boom in canal construction, most notably the Grand Canal and the Richmond-Yanke Canal.
As Arthur Pidix explains, the new water system not only reduced the cost of transporting goods and raw materials, but also significantly increased the speed of transportation, thus contributing to the industrialization process.
In addition, with the popularization of copper wires, horse-drawn carriages have also been improved and upgraded in this era, becoming more comfortable and convenient, and to a certain extent, promoting the development of land transportation.
Lord Milton also commented on this change, saying: "The horse-drawn carriage, though not the quickest mode of travel, is undoubtedly the most popular means of transport. ”
As far as maritime traffic is concerned, the expansion and improvement of the port is particularly important. For example, the Tyne and Hull estuaries have undergone major renovations.
This improvement greatly facilitated the commercial exchange between Britain and other countries, making it easier and cheaper to transport goods to their destinations.
At the same time, advances in ship technology, such as the use of steam engines on ships, have further increased the speed and efficiency of cargo transportation.
After 1830, British railways entered a period of rapid development. The initial railroad was mainly used for coal transportation, and this initiative laid a solid foundation for the future widespread use of the railway industry throughout the country.
Landmark railway developments include the Kent and Canterbury Railways, and the Dunton Mining Railway.
At the same time, the innovation of the national postal system is essential for the dissemination of information and mass commerce. The increase in the number of post offices and the simplification of the shipping process have made the transmission of information faster and faster, which has greatly facilitated people's lives.
This important change has also brought new opportunities for urbanization and business prosperity, with cities becoming more connected and people coming and going.
Urban mobility has also made great strides. During this period, the city's roads were fully repaired and expanded, providing a more convenient environment for citizens and commercial activities.
As an important means of transportation, horse-drawn carriages have been able to run smoothly due to improved road conditions. It is worth mentioning that the road from Lightcherfield to London, as well as the road between Bosworth and York, has been remodeled and strengthened.
Between 1760 and 1830, British traffic entered the era of railways for coal transportation, and the convenient carriages and commercial maritime transport were intertwined with the bridges between cities and cities.
These well-constructed transport infrastructures have made the UK more and more stable on the path of industrialisation and transformation, and have become a powerful driver of urbanization and economic prosperity.
end
Over the centuries of its glory days, Britain has undergone great changes, from the Middle Ages to the modern era.
During this long and important journey, Britain witnessed the Reformation, the English Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution.
These historical upheavals not only changed Britain, but also left a deep imprint.
From the early 16th century to the early 17th century, England was in the midst of the English Reformation, led by King Henry VIII.
Against this backdrop, Britain successfully seceded from the Roman Catholic Church and created an independent Anglican Church.
With the reign of Elizabeth I, England ushered in a golden age of economic prosperity and a flourishing Renaissance, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 symbolized the historic rise of England.
However, between 1642 and 1651, the English Civil War overthrew the ruler Charles I and formed the British Confederation, thus creating a republic.
In the mid-17th and early 18th centuries, the monarchy was restored in England, and a new chapter was opened through the restoration of Charles II.
The ensuing Gloucester War enabled William III and Mary II to ascend to the throne and legislate to establish a constitutional monarchy, which was later called the "Glorious Revolution" and achieved another leap in the process of British modernization.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Britain entered the period of the Industrial Revolution. Especially in the second half of the century, Britain completed a complete transformation from primitive manual work to mechanized manufacturing and factory-style production.
At the same time, the British Empire began to expand vigorously, dominating various fields such as colonies, trade, navy, and technology, and gradually forming a vast imperial system. This period of modernization was also an important turning point in the rise and fall of the British Empire.
In the early 19th century, the American Revolutionary War and the War of the Anti-French Coalition saw the independence of the United States from 1775 to 1783 AD, and the long struggle against Napoleonic France by the Anti-French League from 1803 to 1815.
During the latter period, Britain was an important part of the anti-French coalition in Europe, and made great contributions to the defeat of Napoleon's conquest.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the industrialization process in Britain continued to accelerate. Among them, the construction of railways and the invention and promotion of steam power units were the main driving forces, which made Britain's industrial level once again at the forefront of the times.
In 1837, Queen Victoria ascended the throne, heralding the dawn of the Victorian era. This period is known as the "Golden Age of Britain", which showed great achievements in economic, technological and literary and cultural aspects.
The Industrial Revolution made Britain one of the world's leading industrialized nations, and the expansion of the British Empire made it one of the world's most important hegemons.
Spanning more than 300 years of history, the UK has always made continuous efforts and explorations to promote social progress and national transformation.
This period of history has also proved to the world that only by constantly moving forward can we maintain our own advantages and be invincible in the changing world pattern.
Resources:
《英格兰的气质》（The English and their History） by Robert Tombs:
《大英帝国的崛起与衰落》（The Rise and Fall of the British Empire） by Lawrence James:
《不列颠的历史》（The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain） edited by Kenneth O. Morgan:
《不列颠王朝》（The Plantagenets） by Dan Jones:
《不列颠史》（A History of Britain） by Simon Schama:
《英国简史》（A Short History of England） by Simon Jenkins: