Key question 3

Question 1

What was the percentage of Britain’s population living in urban areas by 1800?

Answer 1

By 1800, 25% of Britain’s population lived in urban settlements.

Question 2

What percentage of the population lived in urban areas by 1850?

Answer 2

By 1850, this figure had increased to 54%.

Question 3

What were the main causes of rapid urban development during industrialization?

Answer 3

The main causes included changes in agriculture, employment opportunities, and improvements in transport.

Question 4

How did agricultural changes contribute to urbanization?

Answer 4

Increased agricultural efficiency reduced the need for a large rural workforce, leading many to seek jobs in growing urban industries.

Question 5

What role did employment play in urban migration?

Answer 5

The lack of restrictions on movement allowed rural workers to migrate to towns with better job prospects, especially in manufacturing.

Question 6

How did transport improvements facilitate urban growth?

Answer 6

Enhanced transport systems enabled the movement of raw materials and finished goods, supporting factory operations and allowing for suburban commuting.

Question 7

What characterized the housing conditions during industrialization?

Answer 7

Housing was often poorly built, overcrowded, and lacked adequate sanitation, leading to squalid living conditions for many workers.

Question 8

What type of housing became common in industrial towns?

Answer 8

Back-to-back houses became common, known for their cramped design and poor sanitation.

Question 9

What were some major public health problems faced by urban populations?

Answer 9

Major issues included inadequate sanitation, poor water supply, and high rates of disease such as cholera and typhoid.

Question 10

How did life expectancy in urban areas compare to rural areas?

Answer 10

Life expectancy was significantly lower in urban areas than in rural regions due to poor living conditions and health crises.

Question 11

What legislative act was passed in 1835 regarding local governance?

Answer 11

The Municipal Corporations Act was passed, allowing towns to establish their own councils but was permissive regarding improvements in living conditions.

Question 12

How did social class affect health outcomes during this period?

Answer 12

Social class significantly influenced life expectancy; wealthier individuals could escape poor conditions by moving to suburbs, while the working class remained in squalor.

Question 13

What was the percentage of Britain’s population living in urban areas by 1880?

Answer 13

By 1880, 80% of Britain’s population lived in urban areas.

Question 14

What was the impact of agricultural efficiency on rural employment?

Answer 14

Increased agricultural efficiency reduced the need for a large workforce in rural areas, leading many to migrate to urban centers for work.

Question 15

Which towns were significant centers for textile manufacturing during industrialization?

Answer 15

Leeds was known for woollen goods, while Manchester specialized in cotton production.

Question 16

How did the lack of restrictions on movement affect labor during industrialization?

Answer 16

Workers were free to move from rural areas to towns with better employment opportunities, contributing to urban growth.

Question 17

What types of manufacturing became prominent in Birmingham and Merthyr Tydfil?

Answer 17

Birmingham became known for metal industries, while Merthyr Tydfil was recognized for iron works.

Question 18

How did transport improvements contribute to urban growth?

Answer 18

Enhanced transport allowed for the import of raw materials and export of finished products, facilitating the establishment of factories.

Question 19

What role did railways play in the expansion of towns?

Answer 19

Railways provided cheap transport for people and goods, leading to suburban development and increased urban populations.

Question 20

What characterized back-to-back housing during the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 20

Back-to-back houses were cramped, poorly built homes that typically had three rooms and shared walls with neighboring houses.

Question 21

What were common issues with sanitation in industrial towns?

Answer 21

Many towns lacked adequate drainage and sewage systems, leading to severe public health problems.

Question 22

How did public health conditions affect life expectancy in urban areas?

Answer 22

Life expectancy was significantly lower in urban areas compared to rural regions due to poor living conditions and high disease rates.

Question 23

Which diseases were prevalent in industrial towns due to poor living conditions?

Answer 23

Common diseases included cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza.

Question 24

What was the purpose of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act?

Answer 24

The act established a system for administering poor relief through local guardians responsible for their parishes.

Question 25

How did the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835 change local governance?

Answer 25

It allowed boroughs to elect councils but did not mandate improvements in living conditions, leaving many towns unchanged.

Question 26

How did social class affect health outcomes during industrialization?

Answer 26

Wealthier individuals could escape poor urban conditions by moving to suburbs, while the working class remained in squalor