This paper will explain why the industrial revolution started in Britain and discuss the scientific background that lies behind the West's great leap in productivity. The Industrial revolutions began in Britain and soon would spread rapidly to Western Europe and North America. The 18th Century was a time technological innovation for much of the world. The industrialization that began in England first saw its profit in its agricultural sector. Many of the farmers would experiment with different seeds and use different fertilizers. They had to plant their crops into large rows to follow cultivation laws, and the local parish had to determine what was going to be planted. This was a problem for everyone and the solution was close off the land. This would mean entire villages would be cut off. This enclosure was a huge contributor to increased agricultural surplus that would soon be deemed necessary, as the population would double by the 18th century. The enclosure would also bring disaster to families living in the country. Peasants were forced out of work and home and soon found new jobs in towns and cities were factories continued to spring up. This would lead to more factories and more productivity. Many of the technological changes in these factories would incorporate the use of iron and steel and new energy sources. New machines would also increase production including the steam engine and the spinning jenny. Having a "factory system" would call for transportation of goods and a way to receive orders. This called for the technology of the railroad and telegraph. The industrial revolution was mostly confined to Britain during the mid 1700's and 1800's but would soon branch out. The reason for this leads back to political and economic systems in their respective regions. What would lead to the revolution in all areas is a result of intellectual and economic freedom. Anytime you have those two things you will have technologi