Chapter 17 - Economic developments 1932-46 Flashcards
An estimated how many Irish had emigrated by 1851 since the start of the famine?
1.5 million
When did rapid railway building begin in Britain?
After the opening of the Liverpool to Manchester line in September 1830
What are some other industries which benefited from the expansion of the railways in Britain in the 1830s and 40s?
Iron, Coal, Construction
What did the railway boom require from capitalists?
A huge commitment from investors, and underlying confidence in the stability of the economy
Who are 3 well-known engineers associated with the railway revolution?
- George Stephenson
- Robert Stephenson
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Who was appointed as Chief Engineer of the London to Birmingham railway in 1837?
Robert Stephenson
Who was Chief Engineer of the Great Western Railway during its construction?
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
When was the Institute of Civil Engineers founded?
1818
Who was George Hudson?
Known as the ‘Railway King’, he was important in funding the construction of many railways in the 1840s, but was disgraced due to financial irregularities in many of his businesses
Why did ‘Railway Mania’ occur in the 1840s rather than the 1830s?
There was a delay in railway construction due to planning and preparation necessary
What caused the ‘Railway Mania’?
The fact that, by the 1840s, many railway lines were operating at a profit and so there was a scramble to invest in railways
How many different railway companies were there by the early 1840s?
Over 200
When was the Railway Clearing House set up?
1842
What did the Railway Clearing House do?
Managed a system of revenue distribution among different railway companies
What was a major problem with the railway system in the 1840s?
There were too many different railway companies, so passengers or goods could use the facilities of several companies per journey, making revenue distribution complicated
How many miles of railways were there in 1832?
Just over 100 miles
How many miles of railways were there in 1846?
Over 4000 miles
How many miles of railways were there in 1843?
Nearly 2000 miles
Why did the coal industry expand because of railways?
Coal was needed to fuel locomotives
Why did the iron industry expand because of railways?
It was needed to make rails and rolling stock (the railway vehicles)
How were consumer goods industries boosted by the expansion of railways?
Goods could be transported more quickly and cheaply, giving them a wider distribution
How did railways boost agriculture?
Fresh produce such as milk could be delivered to large centres of population
Why did exports increase because of railways?
Not only could goods be transported to ports better, but railway design and construction were exported as well
Why did railways benefit political parties and trade unions?
People could organise and attend gatherings better, and could communicate more easily
How was national communication boosted by the railways?
The postal system was sped up and national newspapers flourished
How was tourism boosted by the railways?
People could visit domestic tourist spots such as seaside towns more easily
What was Gladstone responsible for in terms of railways as Peel’s President of the Board of Trade?
The 1844 Railway Act
What did the 1844 Railway Act stipulate?
That every railway company had to provide a carriage for 3rd class passengers, and that the fare should be capped at 1p per mile
What industries were damaged by the development of railways?
Other transport industries such as canal and coaches
By what year was the process of Enclosure virtually complete?
1850
In what years of the 1830s and 1840s were there enclosure acts?
1836 and 1845
What advantages did increased enclosure from 1832-46 bring?
- Easier soil improvement
- Increased grain for the urban population
- More money for investment in farming