HOW DID THE ECONOMY CHANGE IN THE 19TH CENTURY?

The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the 18th century with the invention of the steam engine. Products could be made in factories instead of by hand. Industry expanded and became more important than agriculture.

During the 19th century the Industrial Revolution took place in Europe. These changes happened more slowly in Spain. Spain’s economy was based mainly in agriculture in the 19th century.

But, there were textile factories in Cataluña, mining in Asturias and Río Tinto in Huelva and the steel industry developed in País Vasco.

Transport was transformed by the invention of the steam engine. In the second half of the 19thcentury the Spanish railway network expanded rapidly. This helped industry to develop (it was easier to transport people and products.