Figure 1.-- Most Europeam cities date from themedieval era. This a street in Rouen, France. It is what European cities used to look like before the Industrial Revolution.

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain (mid-18th century). At the time in Britain as well as across the world, the great bulk of the population lived in rural areas. This was necessary because agriculture was still very inefficiency, only slightly improved from ancient times. This was because man only had his own strength and a few animals to assist. There is a reason that modern engines are measured in horsepower. For millennia few farmers had more than one or two horsepower at their disposal, and many did one even have that. As a result most farmers only produced a small surplus beyond what was needed to feed his family. Thus the food simply did not exist to feed large urban populations. And this did not change until more power was in he hands of the farmer and transit workers delivering food to the cities. As the Industrial Revolution began, European cities began to grow. Industrialists needed workers and rural populations were draw to the cities and the wages offered. In Britain this was not entirely voluntary. Land owners began enclosing the commons--the Enclosure Process. In addition, many found they could earn more money from raising sheep to produce wool than farming. This meant that their crofters were not needed and a drag on their earnings. Thomas Malthus (1766-1834) argued that Britain and other countries wold soon out grow their ability to feed their people. He failed to understand that the Industrial Revolution would increase agricultural productivity and than urban life would reduce the birth rate. In the process, European cities began to change. Some European cities date to ancient time, but most have medieval origins. Newly established mills, factories and other sites harassing mass production fueled their growth. Major centers were London and he Midlands (Birmingham and Manchester) became centers of industrial activity. People flooded into urban areas to take advantage of the new job opportunities. As rural populations flowed into urban areas, cities began to grow spectacularly. The same process began on the Continent after the Napoleonic Wars (19th century). There is little photographic evidence of early European cities because by the time photography was invented, European cities had changed dramatically. This created all kinds of issues with health, overcrowding, sanitation and transport that needed to be solved. America was different. A few very small cities appeared (17th century) American industrialization began with English technology. Englishman Samuel Slater opened a textile mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (1793).. Eli Whitney's cotton gin played a huge role in the American industrial Revolution (1793). Most American cities were founded very recently (19th century).

Created: 11:57 PM 8/26/2025
Last updated: 11:57 PM 8/26/2025