British competition and domestic change: Textiles in Sweden 1820–1870

Abstract

In early 19th century industrialization textiles was a leading branch in almost every European country. The British industry set the pace, others followed. The story of the industrial revolution in Britain, its challenge to traditional European textile industry, compelling it to follow the path opened by the British, is a very familiar one. In this article it will be suggested, however, that the leading role of Britain has been unduly emphasized in the explanation of early European industrialization, while too little respect has been paid to the economic and social changes within the industrializing countries. This suggestion is based mainly upon an investigation of the Swedish textile industry 1820—1870 and comparisons with a European pattern of industrialization.¹