economy 1851 - 1886

Question 1

how was agriculture from 1851 - 1873 successful.

Answer 1

• this time period was considered the ‘golden age of agriculture.
• 90% meat and 40% wheat were consumed and farmed in Britain
• farmers’ wages increased and the standard of living improved for them as they could build spacious farmhouses.
• railways improved and could transport food quickly.
• the accessibility of healthy cheap food improved the standard of living for the public in general.

Question 2

why was Britain considered the Workshop in the world in 1851 - 1873?

Answer 2

• the Great Exhibition took place in 1851 in Londons hyde park it showed skills of British manufacturing
• 1/3 of all British goods were exported eg coal was exported to the rest of Europe.
  Government laissez-faire beliefs helped the economy grow e.g free trade and taxation were low.
• free trade was encouraged.

Question 3

how was trade successful from 1851 - 1873?

Answer 3

• an economic growth rate of 2-3% per year.
• high output compared to home consumption
• helped further investment overseas eg. railway building in America
• international trade boosted relationships with other nations.
• Gladstone had a policy of maintaining peace which further encouraged political stability.
• success due to free trade policy.
• those who were working had a rise in wage.

Question 4

coal during 1851 - 1873

Answer 4

• growth of coal output was immense almost 50 tonnes.
• it was used to power steam engines
• after 1850 steam power was the most used industry.

Question 5

shipping during 1851 - 1873

Answer 5

• British shipping dominated the world.
• growth in world trade increased shipbuilding in 1850.
• Suez Canal opened in 1869 which drastically cut the journey time from the west to India.
• in 1850 the tonnage of ships registered in Britain were 31900 tonnes which rose in 1880 to 1 million..

Question 6

Railway 1851 - 1873

Answer 6

• new rail ways were built which linked sea side towns to large towns. this attracted tourism for example Black pool pleasure beach.
• Bessemer steel railways in 1863 gave further boost to the railway industry in the 1860s profits were invested in railway building overseas eg. USA, Canada and India.

Question 7

what was laissez faire and how did it affect the economy?

Answer 7

• Laissez faire policy is no government intervention.
• Gladstone liberal government introduced it.
• it was a Gladstonian policy
• belief in free trade.
• economy was thriving during this period.

Question 8

industrial developments

Answer 8

• Britain had been the first industrial nation and by mid victorian years was ahead of other countries
  eg. SOHO manufactory near Birmingham produced steam engines
• large population helped provide a large workforce and expand the home market. 27 million in 1851. (population)
• move toward free trade encouraged overseas trading. (Gladstone’s tariff reforms when he was chancellor)
• profits from building railways abroad

Question 9

textile industry (coal/cotton)

Answer 9

• centred around the production of cotton and wool which was 2/3 of Britains exports in 1851.
  -it remained a major industry but its progress rate was slow.
  -

Question 10

what were the reasons for depression during 1873?

Answer 10

• the economy experienced a downturn rate of the production of major industries was slowly falling.
• in the INDUSTRY, British trade was facing competition from the likes of Germany. German schools taught technological advancements such as car manufacturing whilst British schools did not.
• Germany introduced trade tariffs which affected British exports.
• Britain lacked new technological machinery.
• The Golden age of agriculture came to an end. eg poor harvests affected crops.
• imports of cheap grain from the USA(competition)
• however, by 1886 (2/3 of wheat consumed in Britain was imported)