Final answer:
Britain's manufacturing industry has been altered by the declining availability of natural resources, leading to factory closures, job losses, and a pivot towards automated, high-technology sectors. This transition reflects a global shift from labor-intensive manufacturing to knowledge and service-oriented post-industrial economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decline in deposits of natural resources has significantly impacted Britain's manufacturing industry. During the Industrial Revolution, Britain's flourishing industrial sector was largely supported by its abundant natural resources, especially coal and iron ore. These resources were critical for powering steam engines and the mass production of materials like textiles and metals. As these resources began to diminish, there were notable shifts in the manufacturing landscape.
Areas in northern England, once the hub of heavy industries and the textile sector with innovations like the Spinning Jenny and the Spinning Mule, experienced a wave of factory closures and rising unemployment. The reduction in manual labor needs, due to modernization and automation like in the port of Liverpool, led to further job losses. Additionally, the iron industry had to adapt to changes in smelting processes as the availability of raw materials like coke from coal started to dwindle.
Consequently, Britain's manufacturing sector has had to reorient towards high technology and service-oriented industries. This shift aligns with a broader global trend towards post-industrial economies, where knowledge and information are becoming the primary commodities over the traditional manufacturing of goods. The trend of utilizing automated systems and reducing reliance on labor-intensive processes is evident in modern British industries.