Great Britain was using raw materials from the colonies to fuel British manufacturing.
What did Great Britain use to fuel British manufacturing?
Slaves: The transatlantic slave trade provided a significant source of labor for plantations in British colonies, such as the Caribbean and the Americas. This labor was crucial for producing agricultural products like sugar, cotton, and tobacco, which were then exported to Great Britain.
Raw Materials: Colonies also provided raw materials like timber, minerals, and precious metals to British industries. These resources were essential for manufacturing various goods, including textiles, shipbuilding materials, and weapons.
Tradesmen: Skilled tradesmen from colonies, particularly artisans and craftsmen, were also recruited to work in British factories and workshops. Their expertise was valuable for developing and refining manufacturing techniques.
The exploitation of resources and labor from the colonies played a pivotal role in the economic prosperity of Great Britain during the Industrial Revolution. This extractive relationship between the mother country and its colonies laid the foundation for the globalized economic system that exists today.