British industry in the 19th century

Study note

British industry led the world in the 19th century. The UK produced more than half of the world's iron, coal and cotton cloth, and also became a centre for financial services such as insurance and banking. In 1851 the Great Exhibition opened in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, showing goods from around the world.

Memory tip: 19th-century Britain made over half the world's iron, coal and cotton; the 1851 Great Exhibition showed it off.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 2

In the 19th century, Britain produced more than half of the world's supply of what?

Score so far: 0 / 0

Next steps

Go back to A Long and Illustrious History for more topics, try a full mock test, or sit a timed Life in the UK Test exam.