ABSTRACT
The term ‘industrial revolution’ first came into general use in the 1840s. Among those to use it were Friedrich Engels in his book The Condition of the Working Class in England (1845) and John Stuart Mill, in his Principles of Political Economy (1848). Since then the term has generally been used by economic historians to describe the transformation of an economy based primarily on agriculture to one based on manufacturing industry. There are pitfalls to be avoided, however, in using the term, particularly in relation to Europe in the first half of the nineteenth century. ‘Revolution’ suggests an overwhelming and rapid change. It also implies a once and for all occurrence, rather than a continuing process. Even when the British industrial revolution was at its height it is doubtful whether economic growth rates ever exceeded 2 per cent a year. From the standpoint of the late twentieth century it is only too clear that once the industrial revolution had begun there would be no end to its progress. One must also distinguish carefully betweeen a new and potentially revolutionary technological advance, such as the smelting of iron with coking coal, and its diffusion, which took well over a hundred years.
