The Rise and Fall of the British Empire (1688-1990)大英帝国的兴衰(1688-1990)
II. The Industrial Revolution (1780-1830)工业革命（1780-1830） 1．The industrial Revolution refers to the mechanisation of industry and the consequent changes in social and economic organization in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.工业革命指的是18世纪末、19世纪初英国工业的机械化，以及因此而导致的社会结构和经济结构的变化。 2．Britain was the first country to industrialize because of the following factors:英国成为第一个工业化的国家，原因如下：(1) Favourable geographical location. Britain was well placed geographically to participate in European and world trade;优越的地理位置：英国地理位置优越，适合参与欧洲与世界贸易； (2) Political stability. Britain had a peaceful society, which, after the 17th century, was increasingly interested in overseas trade and colonies. International trade brought wealth to merchants and city bankers. They and those who had done well out of new farming methods provided capital in large quantities for industralization.政治局面稳定。17世纪后的英国社会宁静，对海外贸易和殖民地兴趣日增。国际贸易给商人和城市银行家带来财富，他们加上由于新农作法而发家的人们为工业化提供了大笔资金。 (3) Good foundation in economy. The limited monarchy which resulted from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 ensured that the powerful economic interests in the community could exert their influence over Government policy.1688年光荣革命限制了君主的权力，这使得强大的经济利益集团能对议会政策施加影响。 (4) It was a country in which the main towns were never too far from seaports, or from rivers, which could distribute their products.英国的主要城镇皆靠近海港或河流，货物运送便利。 (5) Britain had many rivers, which were useful for transport but also for water and steam power. Britain also had useful mineral resources.英国许多河流不仅用于交通，还提供水力及蒸汽动力。英国还有可用的矿产资源。 (6) British engineers had sound training as craftsmen.英国工程师为训练有素的手工艺人。 (7) The inventors were respected. They solved practical problems.发明家受人尊重，他们解决了实际难题。 (8) Probably laissez faire and "Protestant work ethic" helped.“放手干”及“新教工作道德”很可能也有助力。 (9) England, Scotland, and Wales formed a customs union after 1707 and this included Ireland after 1807. So the national market was not hindered by internal customs barriers.1707年后，英格兰、苏格兰和威尔士形成关税联盟，1807年后爱尔兰加入。因此，全国市场不再受制于内部的关税障碍。 (10) The enclosures and other improvements in agriculture made their contributions by providing food for the rising population, labour for the factories, and some of the raw materials needed by industry.圈地运动和其它农业改良为增加的人口提供了粮食，为工厂提供了劳动力，为工业提供了所需的一些原材料。