Essay: The decline of industrial industry in the 19th Century

1. The decline of industrial industry in the 19th Century
With the exception of Great Britain, Ireland had a fairly substantial industrial sector by the standards of most countries. Irish counties had a greater number of people working in the trade, handicraft and manufacture than in agriculture. The decline of the industrial industry began in the early 19th Century. Industrial activity decreased in most of Ireland. As industry declined, unemployment and emigration rose. (O’Malley, E. (1998), pp.22-42.)
The nationalist targets the blame on Britain’s role in impeding the Irish economy. They argue the introduction of the Act of Union (which came into effect in 1801) was considered the main reason for the industrial decline in nineteenth-century Ireland. However, to what extent was the Union responsible for the industrial decline is unclear. There is more evidence to support the real reason for the decline began in the late eighteenth century. (O’Malley, E. (1998), pp.22-42.)
In the second half of the eighteenth century, a new industrial crisis emerged. In 1870’s a particular emphasis had been put on large-scale production.
Considerable progress had been made in Britain and Europe on increasing production at a lower cost. As for Ireland, the declining nature of local markets and a general decline in population gave them little or no incentive to introduce new methods of large-scale production. The concern of poor entrepreneurship was originally argued in studies such as Kane (1844) and was later emphasised as a factor for the decline. Other factors such as scarcity of natural resources and transport costs were also mentioned of having a considerable impact. (L. Lyons, (1971), pp.43).
2. Regional specialisation
Regional specialization is a method of production whereby a region specialized in the production of a confined scope of goods enable to improve productivity. Regional specialization began in Ireland around 1870 and is a positive correlation with economic development.
Certain sectors in the Irish economy felt further pressure as competition from America grew. Britain improved their mechanisms in agriculture which led to a reduction in seasonal remittances. (Phemister, A. (2016). pp.192-217)
By 1880, the pressure on Irish agriculture hit a serious breaking point. Irish exports were being globally replaced. Irish poultry being replaced by French poultry, Irish meat being replaced in England by American meat and all soon finding their way into the Irish market. To meet all this foreign competition Irish output had to be reformed. (A.Murray, Chp.16)
3. Change in crop prices
In the early eighteenth century, The Corn Laws ,which were trade restrictions on import food and grain enforced in Great Britain gave Ireland a significant competitive advantage over other countries regarding exports to England. (Irwin, D. (1985)). In 1845 the laws were repealed which resulted in damaging price drop in later years.
As global trade increased, competitive prices seriously impacted the price of crops in Ireland. Practically the increasing cheap import of grain from North America which became more popular from 1970 onwards. (Turner, M. (1987;123-136). Competition increased globally and England gained
other countries to import from, which effect the crop prices in Ireland.
Wheat acreage dropped from 249,00 acres in 1880 and finally 37.000 acres by 1914. Barley, oats and other grain prices held up better due to the demand for their produce for livestock but still saw a change in price during this time period. Potato prices experienced dramatic change and continued to remain 50 per cent or more pre-Famine levels right up till 1900s. (Turner, M. (1987;123-136).
4. Land War
Until 1881, English landlords had total control over Irish tenants, as well as an influence on local Government. Irish tenants were not receiving equal rights compared to their landlords. The Land War took place between 1877-1880. Led by Irish National Land League, the war featured boycotts, rent strikes, intimidation and riots.
As a result of the Land War, in 1881 the Land League was born.
5. Female Emigration
The tradition views of labour started to change after the decline of the industrial industry. Strength and muscle were no longer necessities for work. For instance, the shift from handloom to powerloom weaving in textiles usually involved the replacement of men labour to women labour. (O’Gráda,1995; Chp7)
In 1900s studies show that the wage gap between men and women was less in the USA than in Ireland. In addition, their ability to speak the English language gave them opportunities as nannies, teachers and secretaries that were not open to other immigrants. Women became encouraged to immigrate. (O’Gráda,1995; Chp7)
6. Mortality rates
A crisis largely overlooked by historians during 1880, during which there were several reports of deaths from starvation. Occurring during a peak of the Land War, it was overshadowed by political developments. (O’Grada, C. (2015).)
7. The transition from arable to livestock
This increase supply on crops led Irish farmers to focus on livestock produce. Another pull factor towards livestock produce was the increase in demand in Britain. In the late eighteen century, Britain’s standard of living began to increase. The demand for meat and dairy products shifted. Irish  livestock exports were a respond to British changes in living standards rather an Irish ones. But far more important, and a factor which led to Irish adjustments ahead of the rise in the North Atlantic grain trade after 1870, was the labour supply constraint. (Turner, M. (1987;123-136)
Wheat acreage dropped from 249,00 acres in 1880 and finally 37.000 acres by 1914. Barley, oats and other grain prices held up better due to the demand for their produce for livestock but still saw a change in price during this time period. Potato prices experienced dramatic change and continued to remain 50 per cent or more pre-Famine levels right up till 1900s. (Turner, M. (1987;123-136).