<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> <P> Instead, the greater liberalisation of trade from a large merchant base may have allowed Britain to produce and use emerging scientific and technological developments more effectively than countries with stronger monarchies, particularly China and Russia . Britain emerged from the Napoleonic Wars as the only European nation not ravaged by financial plunder and economic collapse, and having the only merchant fleet of any useful size (European merchant fleets were destroyed during the war by the Royal Navy). Britain's extensive exporting cottage industries also ensured markets were already available for many early forms of manufactured goods . The conflict resulted in most British warfare being conducted overseas, reducing the devastating effects of territorial conquest that affected much of Europe . This was further aided by Britain's geographical position--an island separated from the rest of mainland Europe . </P> <P> Another theory is that Britain was able to succeed in the Industrial Revolution due to the availability of key resources it possessed . It had a dense population for its small geographical size . Enclosure of common land and the related agricultural revolution made a supply of this labour readily available . There was also a local coincidence of natural resources in the North of England, the English Midlands, South Wales and the Scottish Lowlands . Local supplies of coal, iron, lead, copper, tin, limestone and water power, resulted in excellent conditions for the development and expansion of industry . Also, the damp, mild weather conditions of the North West of England provided ideal conditions for the spinning of cotton, providing a natural starting point for the birth of the textiles industry . </P>

What types of transportation were in the industrial revolution