The First Industrial Revolution marked a new chapter in the history of humankind, rapidly transforming largely agrarian and rural societies into urbanised geographies. The once cottage industry of textiles was replaced by mechanical production, owing to manufacturing innovation and new processes such as the cotton gin and – of course – water and steam power.
Still today, it is hard to comprehend the monumental impact such change had on societies throughout the world during the late 18th century, and with it, international trade.
.
