[blululu]

The Watt steam engine is roughly contemporaneous with the Battle of Plassey and the British ascendency over Bengal, but the Watt steam engine is not the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It built upon cultural and technical innovations from 50 years prior. The British had been engaged in a radical period of industrialization since the start of the 16th century.

[ameister14]

The British absolutely had not engaged in a 'radical period of industrialization' from 1500 on. That's just not correct.

The major corporate movement didn't even start until the 17th century.

[qwytw]

The Dutch did though and they later kickstarted the industrial revolution in Britain.

[ameister14]

That's arguable, but sure. Even there it was more in the late 16th century, which makes sense given Spanish priorities prior to independence. Britain absolutely copied the hell out of it.