Continuing industrialisation 1812-32 Flashcards
What does McCord say about agricultural improvement at this time?
He says that there was improvement but the process was patchy
Which area best brought in new farming techniques according to McCord?
The North East of England
How does McCord describe Scottish agriculture at this time?
He says that there was rapid improvement to efficiency in the lowlands but in the north and west many farms struggled to achieve subsistence levels
What does McCord say about agriculture in the nations by 1815?
Scotland, Wales and Ireland possessed large areas untouched by agricultural improvement
Why was agricultural progress at this time so important?
It was crucial in feeding the growing population and therefore facilitating industrial and commercial expansion
What happened to the British economy in the early 19th century?
It continued to flourish despite the long and costly wars with France
What has caused disagreement among historians about whether growth slowed or increased at the same rate during this period?
- Change occured slowly in some industries and rapidly in others
- Industrialisation was regional rather than national and so some areas developed quicker than others
What is the best way of measuring the growth of the British economy at this time?
By looking at production figures for the three main industries; cotton, iron and coal
Why is coal production seen as an especially good marker for the extent of industrial growth?
Because it was the main source of energy for industry
How much did coal production rise between 1815-30?
It went from 16 million to just under 30 million tons
How much of the coal produced was used in the iron industry?
About half
What happened to the production of pig iron between 1815-30?
Most figures suggest it doubled
Give a figure that indicates how methods of production in the iron industry became more productive
In 1800 it took 8 tons of coal to produce 1 ton of pig iron, but by 1830 this figure was down to 3.5
Give some figures to show the growth of the cotton industry between 1815-30
Imports of raw cotton increased two or threefold and the export of manufactured cotton also increased
What do Williams and Ramsden says had happened to the cotton industry by the 1830s?
- 30% of the industry workforce was engaged in the cotton industry
- 70% of British exports were textiles
- Raw cotton accounted for 1/5 of Britain’s exports
What was a key indicator of the growth of the export market at this time?
The development of the shipbuilding industry
Describe the state of shipping at this point?
It was still under sail, with the first steam powered ship coming in 1838
Give a statistic to indicate the growth of the shipbuilding industry
In 1820, the tonnage of ships built and registered in Britain was 66,700 - by 1830 this had increased to 75,500
What aided the overall increase in production at this time?
The continuing development of the steam industry
Give a statistic the indicate the development of steam power at this time?
More factories were now powered by steam power than water power
Why were pottery and china in increasing demand in the domestic market at this time?
Because the new expanding middle classes had disposable income and new homes on the outskirts of towns to furnish
What was this period the start of the era of?
Consumerism - the trend of wanting to acquire more goods and services
What were the fast growing industries, services and technologies mainly associated with by 1832?
The early development of the railway
Explain the impact steam power had on industrialisation at this time
- It meant that industrialisation spread to other previously untouched parts of the country
- More hand operated industries became mechanised
- Productivity increased in existing industries
Why was the impact of steam power not comprehensive by 1832?
Because these developments had not yet reached their full industrial or economic potential
What is indisputable about industrialisation no matter what facts and figures we look at?
That it was a continuous process for around 100 years from around 1780
What happened to trade following the end of the Napoleonic Wars?
Putting aside market fluctuations, it increased rapidly following the lifting of sanctions
What gave a boost to trade in the 1820s?
Huskisson’s free trade measures
What else helped carry the industrialisation process forward?
Population growth
Give some statistics to indicate how population was growing exponentially at this time
In 1811 it was 12 million, in 1821 it was 14 million, in 1831 it was 16.3 million
How did industrial and rural areas compare at this time in terms of population growth?
The rate of growth was higher in industrial areas
Why was population growth higher in industrial areas?
People migrated to industrial towns for work and there was earlier marriage and births in the crowded industrial areas
What kind of new thoughts did industrialisation bring about at this time?
- It emphasised the distinction between the middle class and the industrial workforce
- New social groupings emerged
- Working class discontent continued
