Economic developments 1846-85 Flashcards

1
Q

What does Peter Mathias say about the strength of the British economy on the world stage by 1851

A

Never before or since has a country dominated the world economy so much. Given the slow means of tech, the first nation to make this jump enjoyed a lead of two or three generations. As GB assumed this dominant role in the international economy, exploiting the unique advantages of a unique position, the prime dynamic of the economy became the industrial sector, and within that the export industries. A distorted industrial picture developed, with the few giant industries - textiles, coal, ship building and engineering - responding rapidly to the advantages of this very special position, with economy becoming dependent on the ability to sell cheap cloth, iron, machinery and coal, and to provide ships to carry these cargoes to the rest of the world

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2
Q

Give some statistics to show how Britain dominated the world economy at this time

A
  • Produced over 40% of the total traded manufactured goods in the world

25% of the world’s trade passed through British ports

Regarded as the ‘workshop of the world’

Other countries (mostly colonies of the empire or nations financially dependent upon Britain) furnished GB with raw materials and foodstuffs for the growing pop

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3
Q

What was the great exhibition of 1851

A

Celebrated as a symbol of the inter dependent world economy: it was an international exhibition, with GB taking most of the prizes for industrial products and other nations for foodstuffs and raw materials

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4
Q

How was increased trade one of the spin offs of the 1851 Great Exhibition

A

Rapid increase in export orders and a growth in overseas markets. The growth in export trade continued almost unrivalled for the next 20 years. Period of unprecedented foreign demand for British goods. In every town and city, producers and manufacturers were working flat out to meet increasing orders.

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5
Q

Why was Britain referred to as the workshop of the world

A

Because it imported raw materials, manufactured the goods, and exported the finished products around the world

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6
Q

Where were all of these British exports going to

A

1/3 of all British goods were exported to the British Empire

Coal was exported to Europe

Many goods went to the US because its own industries were not sufficiently developed to cope with the demands of their rapidly increasing pop

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7
Q

When did this industrial and economic dominance on the global stage occur

A

Became apparent around the middle of the century and lasted until the 1870s

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8
Q

Describe how this economic growth was accompanied by technological advancement

A

Technological development occured in key industries like coal mining, iron and steel, engineering and the textile industry, leading to a rapid increase in production across the board

New tech and an increase in scientific knowledge led to agricultural improvements, generally referred to as the period of high farming

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9
Q

What economic principle did British governments remain committed to at this time

A

Laissez faire economics of limited interference in the workings of the market economy. Taxation was low and free trade was encouraged

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10
Q

Explain the Victorian virtue of self help that emerged at this time

A

The belief that honest hard work brought good results. The middle classes and the skilled working classes in particular enjoyed the results of hard work with higher incomes and increased consumption. Better education and public health. Living standards rose

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11
Q

How does Eric Hobsbawn counter this positive account

A

He says that ‘the stagnant mass of poverty at the bottom of the social pyramid remained’

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12
Q

Why can 1873 be seen as the end of this period of economic dominance

A

The economy was growing but at a slower rate

Imports were increasing against exports

Britain was beginning to face competition from newly industrialised nations like the US and Germany

GB needed to adapt to meet the challenge

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13
Q

Why was there fear in the farming community following corn law repeal

A

Fear that the price of domestic wheat would collapse against competition from foreign imports, and that farmers would be ruined

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14
Q

How did these fears turn out to be misplaced

A

By 1853 GB had entered a ‘golden age’ of agriculture, during which harvests produced successive high yields, prices were steady, farmers incomes increased and there was scientific and technological innovation and improvements were carried out

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15
Q

What does the expression ‘high farming’ mean

A

Been used to describe the practises adopted by many farmers during these years. Scottish farmer James Caird is often credited with introducing the term, though historian GE Mingay suggests the term was used by several agricultural writers at the time and probably stemmed from the early 19th century phrase ‘to farm high’ which meant ‘to achieve excellence in farming methods’

In 1849 Caird produced a pamphlet called high farming advising farmers on how to adapt their methods to cope with the possible fall in wheat prices. Called for more intensive farming, taking into account new methods and improvements, such as the drainge and fertilisation of the land.

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16
Q

What was the benefit of many farmers switched from purely arable to mixed farming at this time

A

It meant that they hedged their bets by growing wheat and root crops as well as keeping cattle, sheep ang pigs. They were therefore cushioned against any potential downfall in the price of either crops of livestock. Surplus crops fed the animals and animals’ manure fed the crops

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17
Q

Describe how livestock proved particularly important at this time

A

Increasing interest in animal husbandry. Some farmers specialised in breeding specific types of cattle such as Herefords and Aberdeen Angus, which proved excellent beef. Much of the profits in farming at this time came from this livestock rearing

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18
Q

How much was the artificail fertiliser industry worth by 1870

A

£8 million

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19
Q

Why

A

Increased scientific knowledge about them, such as the discovery of superphosphates

Guano was imported from Peru in large quantities

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20
Q

How much did the market for animal feedstuffs made from linseed and cotton seed grow

A

Worth £5 million by 1870

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21
Q

Why was the growth of these two industries beneficial for farmers

A

Made it easier for farmers to pursue mixed farming and specialise in either arable or livestock farming

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22
Q

What was the problem of poor drainage met with

A

The construction of clay pipe

The govt introduced loan schemes for farmers to invest in drainage pipe systems

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23
Q

What was the two main factors in the substantial improvement in crop yields at this time

A

Improved drainage

Increased use of fertilisers

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24
Q

Describe the labour force that farmers had at their disposal

A

Ready supply of labour as agricultural labourers were amongst the most poorly paid

Introduction of farm machinery was slow

Widespread use of the horse drawn reaper. There were better ploughs, seed drills and steam driven threshing machines to improve efficiency in crop production

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25
What factors led to an increased demand for food and other land based produce
Steady pop growth The rising prosperity and general rise in wages
26
What met this demand
Agricultural improvements
27
Why was the development of the railways beneficial for farming
Food could be transported quickly to the growing towns, where there was a ready and ever increasing market
28
Give some statistics to show how well farmers were doing by the early 1870s
Producing about 50% of the home consumption of wheat and 90% of meat Dairy farmers supplied the home market with butter, milk and cheese
29
Describe how the living standards for farmers improved at this time
They benefitted from the increasing prices of their produce. With their huge profits they built themselves solid, spacious farmhouses and a comfortable lifestyle
30
Give an example of how not all areas of GB enjoyed this agricultural prosperity
In the remote north west of Scotland, farming was under resourced and ploughing and harvesting was still carried out by hand with the old Scots foot plough and the scythe
31
Why can we not let examples like this colour our judgement of agricultural improvement as a whole
For most of the country, the accessability of plenty of good, cheap, home-produced food helped improve the general health and raise the standards of living in GB
32
How was there an element of luck involved in the golden age of agriculture between 1850-73
An exceptional run of high yielding harvests during this period, which can be attributed to a long cycle of fine dry summers
33
How did things change in 1873
The fine dry summers came to an end, rains fell and farmers were faced with a catastrophic fall in prices. The farming industry entered a long period of economic downturn
34
Factors contributing to the mid victorian boom
Being that biggest colonial power meant that GB controlled vital sea routes to and from its colonies and other overseas markets Being the first industrial nation meant that they had far outstripped other countries in establishing markets at home and abroad for their high quality goods Plentiful supply of natural resources such as iron and coal which it had the technology to exploit Forged ahead in design, engineering processes and production Laissez had given British investors and innovators the freedom to develop their ideas Pop rose from 27 million in 1851 to 35 million in 1881, providing a large workforce and expanding home markets Mobility of the workforce and the carriage of goods was made possible by the extensive railway network across the country, which by 1875 linked every major town and sea port and facilitated industrial development
35
How to Gladstone facilitate the move towards free trade
Through his tariff reforms while he was chancellor in the 1850s and 1860s
36
What did these tariff reforms encourage
Overseas trading, which stimulated British industry
37
What were the two key industries in Britain that were at the centre of the expanding economy
Coal and iron
38
Why were coal and iron so important
All manufactured goods relied on them - coal to produce heat/steam and iron to make the machines that manufactured the goods
39
Why did textiles continue to be an important industry
Remained a staple and Britain was a big exporter of cotton cloth
40
How much did exports of textiles grow between 1840-79
1840 - £38 million 1879 - £119 million
41
How much did exports of iron and steel grow between 1840-79
1840 - £ 8 million 1879 - £35 million
42
How much did exports of coal grow between 1840-79
1840 - £1 million 1879 - £9 million
43
Describe the technological developments in the coal industry at this time
The introduction of the wire rope and the steam driven winding gear at the top of the coal shaft replaced the hemp rope and the system of horse gin and dealt more efficiently with the 600-800 ton daily haul of coal at some pits The increasing demand for coal had implications for the organisation and running of the coal mines. Even during rapid industrialisation coal was still dug up by hand. The absence of mechanical progress could be blamed on the lack of a national plan, which was a consequence of the laissez faire approach, and the continuation of private ownership of coal mines There was one serious attemot ti develop a coal cutting machine in Scotland in 1860 but this failed
44
Give some statistics to show the immense growth of the coal industry at this time
In 1850 the output of coal was around 50 million tons and by 1875 it was around 130 million tons and still rising
45
What stimulated this increased coal production
A drop in the price of coal coupled with an increase in demand Coal was required to power steam engines and was intergral in the development of the railways After 1850 steam power was used in most major industries The development of iron hulled steam ships demanded coal to fire the ships engines and iron for their construction As other countries industrialised, they imported coal from GB
46
Give some statistics to show how coal was in particularly high demand within the iron industry
Iron depended on it and by 1870 the iron industry was buying an entire 1/3 of the coal produced in Britain
47
What two technological developments were responsible for the significant increase in iron output from 1850 onwards
Neilson's hot blast (1827) Nasmyth's steam hammer (1844)
48
What were the great engineering projects of mid Victorian GB, such as railways, bridges, iron steam ships and textile machinery and tools all dependent on
The continuous production of good quality iron
49
Give some statistics to show the rise in iron ore production at this time
Jumped from 9 million tons in 1855 to 15 million tons by 1875
50
Why did the use of steel in manufacturing increase during this period
Tougher and more versatile than iron. In the 1860s new processes enable steel to be produced quickly and cheaply and in large quantities, with the result that by 1870, many rail companies had replaced iron tracks with steel ones
51
What had the railways already become by 1850
One of the most important industries in GB
52
Why was laying track across the Scottish Highlands difficult
Costly exercise because of the difficult terrain and sparse pop
53
Why was this done despite these difficulties
As it linked remote areas of Scotland to the rest of Britain
54
What was most of the new rail track at this time intended to do
To set up suburban railways or branch lines, often linking seaside resorts to larger towns, and in this way was instrumental in creating an entirely new industry of tourism
55
What factors led to the development of precision engineering
Railway companies became concerned with producing better, faster and more reliable engines
56
Give some examples of prosperous railway towns that emerged at this time
Derby Doncaster Crewe
57
When was the Metropolitan line, the first London underground line opened
1863
58
How many passangers did it carry in its first year
10 million
59
Why did it make for an unpleasant ride
The smoke and fumes from the steel locomotive, together with the sickly smell of oil lamps om yje carriages
60
What was the 'Bessemer process'
The first cheap industrial process for the mass production of steel; invented by Henry Bessemer
61
How did the Bessemer process aid the railway industry
The Bessemer steel rails gave a further boost to the industry by cutting production costs and increasing profits which then provided capital for further investment. These profits were often invested in railway building overseas in India, Canada, Argentina and the US and this export of capital was an indication of a booming economy
62
Give some statistics to show how the railways developed in terms of miles of track between 1860-75
1860 - 9000 miles 1875 - 14,500
63
Give some statistics to show how the railways developed in terms of passengers carried between 1860-75
1860 - 150 million passengers 1875 - 490 million passengers
64
Give some statistics to show how the railways developed in terms of tons of freight carried between 1860-75
1860 - 90 million 1875 - 200 million
65
Give some statistics to show how the railways developed in terms money from ticket sales between 1860-75
1860 - £12 million 1875 - £24 million
66
Give some statistics to show how the railways developed in terms of money from freight charges between 1860-75
1860 - £14 million 1875 - £32 million
67
Where was Britain facing a challenge in terms of its shipping domination
From American sailing boats, especially on the Atlantic route
68
Why were steam ships not taken advantage of at this time
Because they were expensive to build and run
69
What was the most important stimulus for the post 1850 increase in ship building
The increase in world trade. This coincided with the massive increase in the production of cheap iron and later steel, making it possible for GB to forge ahead in the development of steam ships and to monopolise the shipping routes
70
Why was the opening of the Suez Canal beneficial in 1869
Drastically cut the journey time from the west to India, China and Australia It was too narrow to allow a large sailing ship to tack through it and this gave a further boost to the British steam ship
71
Give a statistic to show the development in the shipping industry at this time
Between 1850 and 1880 the tonnage of steam ships registered in GB rose from approximately 320,000 tons to over 3 million tons
72
What did the textile industry depend upon the production of
Cotton and wool
73
What proportion of GB's exports did textiles account for by 1851
almost 2/3
74
How did the importance of textiles progress over time
Remained a major industry but its rate of progress was slower. Its share of the export market began in 1860, as the export of other commodities such as coal, iron and steel and machinery rose. However, British manufactured cotton cloth still accounted for 2/3 of cotton sold in world markets until 1900
75
What staple industries was GB able to build up at this time
Coal Iron and steel Engineering Shipping Textiles
76
What kind of economic growth rate did these industries produce
Around 2% per year
77
Why was the growth of these industries beneficial
Output far beyond requirements for home consumption. As a result of the growing demands for British goods abroad, they created a boom in the British export market and accounted for almost all of GB's exports. The profits raised provided capital for further investment at home and overseas
78
How did this international trade impact foreign policy
Cemented GB's relationship with foreign countries and increased its influence abroad, and the dependence of nation upon nation promoted peace. This chimed with Gladstone's policy of maintaining peace, which further encouraged economic stability
79
Give an example of how Britain's potential economic rivals were distracted by war at this time
American Civil War (1863-6) Franco-Prussian War (1870-1)
80
What Gladstonian policy undoubtedly aided this sustained economic growth
Free trade
81
How else did Gladstone's economic policy aid industry
His reduction of taxation was made possible by the vibrant economy and this allowed entrepreneurs and businessmen to build up private fortunes and the wealth of the nation by investing large sums of capital in industrial enterprises at home and abroad
82
What was the problem with this wealth creation through the aggregation of profits
It meant that the newfound wealth was distributed unevenly
83
What must the high employment rate in these industries be caveated by
The fact that there was still unemployment and poverty
84
Why can economic growth be seen as a virtuous circle at this time
Those in work created extra demand within the economy because of their increased wages lending them a newly acquired spending power and desire for consumer goods that hepled fuel further prosperity
85
What did the end of G's first ministry coincide with the onset of
Depression
86
Why was this depression more than just an end to a sustained period of growth
There was a fundamental change in Britain's special position, as its supremacy in global markets was being challenged by a newly united Germany and a rapidly expanding US economy
87
What does Keith Robbins say about this 'depression'
If by depression we mean a failure to sustain previous growth rates then there was one, but this does not mean that there was economic decline.