Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution's initiation was influenced by the availability of capital for investment, technological innovations, coal as an energy source, the available labor force due to the agricultural revolution, and the emergence of consumer markets. These factors, along with global trade and institutional standardization, facilitated the transition to industrialized societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
List of Five Contributing Factors to the Start of the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a significant period of economic and social change that began in Great Britain and soon spread to other countries. Here are five factors that contributed to its start:
Capital: The accumulation of capital allowed for investment in new machines and factories, initiating industrial production.
Technology: Innovations such as the steam engine, the power loom, and the steam locomotive revolutionized production and transportation.
Energy Source: The discovery and use of coal as a fuel source to power steam engines was critical to industrial growth.
Availability of Labor: The agricultural revolution led to fewer workers needed on farms, which resulted in a migration of laborers to urban areas looking for factory work.
Consumers: An increase in goods produced led to a growth in domestic markets and international trade, creating a consumer base for industrial products.
Global trading routes, favorable demographics, and standardized trading institutions also played roles in setting the stage for the Industrial Revolution, according to Dutch economic historian Jan Luiten van Zanden.