The word “revolution” often has a connotation of war with much violence and blood. The British Industrial Revolution was a period of gradual economic change and progress, rather than a war. It is connected with the word “revolution” because of its significant effects on what society has become. It was a slow evolution that produced countless innovative machines and created the modern work day and character. This period of change touched all aspects of life not only altering economic, but political and social life as well. The Revolution symbolically depicts man taming nature and forcing it to conform to his needs.

The Industrial Revolution instigated the seemingly rapid transformation of an agrarian society to an urban city based economy. Several factors contributed to the Industrial Revolution, causing it to flourish and expand worldwide. The Religious Dissenters, radicals who broke away from the Church of England, were one of the various most factors. Through religious ethics and morals and the influential ideas of the Enlightenment, the Religious Dissenters laid the ground work for the Industrial Revolution and facilitated its progress

The Protestant Work Ethic, consisting of industry, virtue, and frugality, helped the nonconformists advance in commerce. The doctrine of predestination laid the foundation for the work ethic. The dilemma of salvation and the question of whether an individual was saved at the time of death, were what fueled the inspiration and ambition to work. One glorified God through the three elements of the Protestant work ethic. People strived to succeed in the eyes of God because success was seen as a symbol of one’s religious worth. First, industry was the element that conveyed the importance of working hard at one’s vocation no matter what that might be. Secondly, virtue was the importance of honesty and the ability to maintain proper righteous conduct in all situations and conditions. Lastly, frugality stressed the importance of reinvestment of hard earned money and money not spent selfishly, but instead redirected in ways to glorify God. The nonconformists applied the Protestant work ethic to business, and they were successful because of it. This religious advantage allowed them to succeed, and to succeed righteously in the eyes of God.

The Dissenters proved themselves by first surviving public persecution and exclusion and they showed their strength again by disregarding and surpassing the public opinion to becoming masters in the business world. Their advantages were represented through Enlightenment influences, private academies, which provided superior education in business, and strict religious morals. Combining the influential ideas that surrounded them, the Dissenters created a blend of morals and values that molded them into the reliable businessmen that they came to be known as. This status allowed them to build upon the already laid and growing foundation of the Revolution. Through their astute knowledge and religious background, the Dissenters used their ideas and morals to not only fuel the revolution surrounding them, but to improve their personal lifestyle as well. Their unique talents synthesized with their religious ways of life created the industrious society that we have today.

The Dissenters relied on experience, and through their actions they learned the importance of reason and what brought success. Reason is logic and experience through observation. Dissenters used reason and applied their knowledge of religion to the business aspect of their lives, and found the ideal balance between the two. Reason was seen primarily in the Quaker denomination. Quakers believe that through the inner light, God is in everything and in every man.12 Through this light, God instills reason in the individual, therefore, creating reason and knowledge through God.11 These Enlightenment standards created a vision among the Dissenters encompassing the new way of life that surrounded them. This vision allowed them to dominate the world of business.6

Dissenters now had a chance to take advantage of their personal benefits over the business world and to make their well deserved share of money in the new industries. The unique religious laws that the Dissenters laid down for themselves forced them to conduct all business affairs within their religious guidelines. The Protestant Work Ethic along with the principles of discipline, simplicity, and honesty unified the Dissenters through common law and standards. The religious ethics and morals led the Dissenters to be known as the most honest and successful businessmen of the time, allowing them to succeed and to rise above the competition, simply because of the influence and background of their religion.

Among the many denominations of Dissent the most prominent groups were the Quakers, Methodists, and Baptists. Quakers proved to be the most successful denomination because of their strict adherence to their religious values, and they were sometimes called the “aristocracy of Dissent”. Quakers came to be known as the Society of Friends. The

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