The workshop of the world

In the middle of the 18th century the population in Britain started to grow very quickly, so far more people needed food, clothes and houses.

Before 1750 people had only known animal, wind and water power, but with the invention of the steam engine big machines could be used.

The early steam engines were very big and expensive, so they could only be used in large factories.

The new factories were built in the towns, so people who were looking for work had to leave their home in the country.

You need coal to produce steam and iron, so mining became an important industry.

The steam engine was also used to drive locomotives, so the speed of travel changed enormously.

By the late 18th century Britain had become the world´s leading trading nation and British ships carried goods all over the world.

Red Line New 5, Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart, 1999, page 63