The Industrial Revolution began during the 18th century in England. There were many economic, political and social factors leading to the Industrial Revolution.

One of the economic factors was the available capital present in England during this time; England had the wealth to create more wealth. Because of the Enclosure Acts--so that the sheep of England could graze on land--many people were out of jobs and had to go find work elsewhere; this created an abundant labor supply. The natural resources, like coal and timber, also helped lead to the Industrial Revolution in England. England's colonies provided natural resources and markets, so that what England received from its colonies it could manufacture into a product and sell back.

The Industrial Revolution transformed the shape of Western civilization. Because of the Industrial Revolution the middle class was created. Along with new technologies that changed the way people lived. The things that people wore and the jobs they did changed. A shoe maker would no longer need to measure every person's foot to custom make them a shoe. Their work was faster and cheaper. The Industrial Revolution changed all aspects of people's lives. The rich became richer because of businesses during the Industrial Revolution and the middle class also had its chance to make wealth. However, the Industrial Revolution was not completely good. The poor worked longer hours for almost no money; there was child labor and other labor abuses. Because there were so many people who wanted work and would take hardly any money for it they were paid as little as possible. Whether the Industrial Revolution was good or bad it had undoubtedly transformed Western civilization.