(I) The Industrial Revolution started in Britain in the eighteenth century, due to the development of steam power and the invention of certain machines. (II) Watt, Arkwright and Hargreaves were all important inventors in this period. (III) These innovations, coupled with the ability of British traders to create new markets abroad, turned Britain from an agricultural society to a predominantly industrialised one. (IV) However, although material prosperity increased, it was not evenly distributed among the citizens. (V) As a result, there was much hardship in the new industrial towns, which led to the creation of new political and labour movements.