INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: Essay #6

Trade equals wealth and power.

 

    

  During the eighteenth century in England there was a common belief that trade was the Wealth of the word and that it was fundamental to mark a difference between the Rich and the Poor; and also among different nations. The government was really concerned about the trade in the nation since it was the cause of England´s increasing wealth. The trade of England consisted mainly of things and products made or grown at home and partly on an extensive re-export trade of raw materials from colonies in America and luxurious goods that came from East. Trade was essential to bring wealth and power to England.

  England was becoming so rich that the Prime minister, Walpole, wanted to take advantage of this situation to encourage more trade. Walpole´s first decision was to remove all restrictive measures on the export of English manufactured goods. He also allowed the necessary raw materials into the country. However, this did not mean that there would be a free trade. Walpole started to give more importance and protection to the manufacturers.

  England´s eighteenth century politicians clearly realized that all this wealth they had managed to produce meant an incredible power over other nations. So they decided to prevent foreign competition regarding trade of manufactured products. For example, the Irish were not allowed to make cloth or export their wool to other countries except for England. There were also plans to capture French trade. All those men engaged in commerce and industry, such as the clothiers, the hostmen and the men who controlled the buying and selling, had become dominating figures in England´s industry.

   To conclude, trade became the solution to improve Englands´economic situation and gave workers the opportunity to have a dignified job and be well off.  Manufacturers started to be highly respected among society and they were protected by the government since they were key to ensure that England´s wealth would continue increasing. During those years, England started to be seen as the leading industrial nation all over the world.