<P> Great Britain provided the legal and cultural foundations that enabled entrepreneurs to pioneer the industrial revolution . Key factors fostering this environment were: (1) The period of peace and stability which followed the unification of England and Scotland; (2) no trade barriers between England and Scotland; (3) the rule of law (enforcing property rights and respecting the sanctity of contracts); (4) a straightforward legal system that allowed the formation of joint - stock companies (corporations); (5) absence of tolls, which had largely disappeared from Britain by the 15th century, but were an extreme burden on goods elsewhere in the world, and (6) a free market (capitalism). </P> <P> Geographical and natural resource advantages of Great Britain were the fact that it had extensive coastlines and many navigable rivers in an age where water was the easiest means of transportation and having the highest quality coal in Europe . </P> <P> There were two main values that really drove the Industrial Revolution in Britain . These values were self - interest and an entrepreneurial spirit . Because of these interests, many industrial advances were made that resulted in a huge increase in personal wealth and a consumer revolution . These advancements also greatly benefitted the British society as a whole . Countries around the world started to recognise the changes and advancements in Britain and use them as an example to begin their own Industrial Revolutions . </P> <P> The debate about the start of the Industrial Revolution also concerns the massive lead that Great Britain had over other countries . Some have stressed the importance of natural or financial resources that Britain received from its many overseas colonies or that profits from the British slave trade between Africa and the Caribbean helped fuel industrial investment . However, it has been pointed out that slave trade and West Indian plantations provided only 5% of the British national income during the years of the Industrial Revolution . Even though slavery accounted for so little, Caribbean - based demand accounted for 12% of Britain's industrial output . </P>

What were the jobs during the industrial revolution