Evolution The violent spirit to forge a civilization vol 1

subsequent Glorious Revolution ( 1688 ) (^) [ 63 ] determined the establishment

of a parliamentary monarchy based on the division of powers, individual

liberty and a level of legal certainty (with the Common Law) (^) [ 64 ] that

provided sufficient guarantees for the private entrepreneur and an important

development of the industrial patent system. Also, increasing liberalization,

and the reduction of restrictions imposed by the guilds on the establishment

of industries and technological change. As a geostrategic factor, during the

18 th century England (as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Ireland) built up a naval fleet that turned it into a true thalassocracy (^) [ 65 ]

master of the seas and a vast colonial empire. Despite the loss of the

Thirteen Colonies, emancipated in the American War of Independence

[ 66 ]^ (^1775 -^1783 ),^ it^ controlled,^ among^ other^ things,^ the^ territories^ of^ the^

Indian subcontinent, an important source of raw materials for its industry,

especially cotton, which fed the textile industry.

But to get to this first industrial revolution, it is necessary to recall

the great fire of London that ravaged the city from 2 to 5 September

(^1666) [ 67 ],. The fire swept through the medieval City of London inside the

ancient Roman wall. The use of the main fire-fighting technique of the

time, the creation of firebreaks by demolition, was delayed due to

indecision on the part of the Lord Mayor of London. By the time large-

scale demolitions were ordered on Sunday night, the wind had already

turned the house fire into a firestorm that defeated such measures. On

Monday, the fire was pushed north into the heart of the city. As a result,

disorder began to break out in the streets over rumors that foreigners had

started the fires. Suspicions centered on French and Dutch immigrants,

England's enemies from the ongoing second Anglo-Dutch war; groups were

the victims of lynching's and street violence. On Tuesday, the fire spread

through most of the city, destroyed St Paul's Gothic cathedral and passed

the Fleet River that protected the royal court at Whitehall, as coordinated

firefighting efforts were simultaneously mobilised. The end of the fire may

have been due to two factors: strong easterly winds were stopped and the

Tower of London garrison used gunpowder to create effective firebreaks to

stop the fire spreading further eastwards.