British History

The First Steam Engine (1712)

• One the most significant inventions of the Industrial Revolution was the steam engine.
• This was originally invented for draining mines, but was rapidly put to use in factories and later on the railways.
• The first successful engine was built in 1712 by Thomas Newcomen and developed over the next ninety years by James Watt and Richard Trevithick

The Georgians (1714 – 1836)

• With these changes came increased population and increased wealth (for some).
• Politically, the Georgian period was a period of confrontation.
• Britain became involved in conflicts with India, her American colonies and continental Europe.
• Because of its financial, naval and military strength, the British government tended to prevail.

• The Georgian period was one of change.
• There was a new dynasty and the infrastructure of Britain was changing.
• Agricultural developments were followed by industrial innovation.
• This, in turn, led to urbanisation and the need for better communications.
• Britain became the world's first modern society.