The effects of industrialisation Flashcards
Why was industrialisation such a double edged sword in the early 19th century?
It brought economic growth, but also social turmoil and widespread unemployment
What was the consequence of population growth and movement towards northern industrial towns socially?
The traditional habits and customs of small rural communities were disturbed
What disturbed the tranquility of the countryside?
Noisy machinery
What were the only two UK cities to have a poulation more than 100,000 in 1801?
Dublin and London
List the countries that had a population greater than 100,000 by 1831
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London and, Dublin
What different economic bases did Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow rely upon?
- Manchester - textile mills and factories
- Liverpool - Commercial traffic through its docks
- Glasgow - textiles, shipbuilding and engineering industries, as well as being a commercial port
Describe migration at this time
Jobless unskilled labourers would move away from rural areas. Poverty-stricken, landless Irish peasants would also arrive in search of a better life
What was Eric Hobsbawn’s view on urbanisation?
He denounced its impact on the labouring classes and the lack of welfare that accompanied it. Hours were so long and wages so low that most factory workers had no life beyond the factory and their squalid tenement homes
What made the problems caused by industrialisation even worse?
The government’s failure to recognise and address them
What was the problem with the towns expanding so quickly?
When problems of public health or maintaining social order arose there were no mechanisms in place to deal with them
What was the social impact of population growth and urbanisation?
There was a crowding of large numbers of people in towns and cities The wealthy middle classes segregated themselves in large houses in leafy suburbs. Those in the middling ranks lived in respectable terraced houses not far from the town, while the vast majority lived in cramped tenement dwellings
Describe the poor living conditions endured by the labouring classes
There were often entire families housed in one room with extremely basic facilities, a limited water supply and primitive sanitation. The poor living conditions caused numerous health conditions and diseases to spread
The absence of what contributed to further social problems?
Local government
What were many old boroughs that had expanded into industrial towns still run by?
A mayor and corporation. These bodies had become largely corrupt and acted out of self interest rather than looking to make societal improvements. They would often commission the construction of grand buildings that came as little benefit to the poverty-stricken masses
Who made up much of the industrial workforce?
Women and children
Describe the poor working conditions at this time
- Enclosed in poorly ventilated factories
- 16 hour workdays
- 6 day work weeks
- Very little pay
Why were women and children used so much in factories?
They were cheaper to pay and easier to control
Describe the use of children?
Many orphan children were used and exploited. Child labour was not a new phenomenon and had existed for ages. The industrial revolution drew humanitarian attention to this crisis, encouraging a long campaign to improve their conditions
Why was work in the factories so dangerous for children?
They were often used to clear jams in working machines, which came with a serious risk of injury
A lack of what disadvantaged the lower classes further?
Education
Describe the state of education at this time
There was no state provision for child schooling, as many in the middle and upper classes considered education to be dangerous amongst the poorer classes, as it had the potential to cause revolutionary thought. Others thought that elementary education was acceptable in order to educe the worst ignorance and teach children about the scriptures
Describe sunday schools at this time
Most took place on a sunday afternoon, after the main act of worship in the morning. Religious instruction was given and reading of the bible was encouraged
What happened to those who were unemployed, even if this was through no fault of their own?
They would face the prospect of endless poverty
How was poverty tackled at this time?
- The system of poor relief was unable to cope with large scale urbanisation, the flood of unemployed farm labourers into towns and the high levels of unemployment amongst those who had been replaced by machines. Parishes tried to do what they could, but were often over-burdened with demand. The poor were therefore left to beg on the streets or turn to crime
What does Christopher Hill think population growth prompted?
The migration of the British overseas and the extension of the empire
What does Edward Royle think caused the increase in migration after 1815?
The peace at the end of the Napoleonic wars and the subsequent renewed depression
What happened to population growth in 1820?
There was a lull in growth early in the decade, with numbers rising again later in the decade
What happened in 1832?
10,000 Scots emigrated, mostly to Canada - many went in the spirit of adventure with the hopes of finding a better life
List the positive impacts of industrialisation at this time
- Greater wealth was created, which allowed a larger population to be sustained
- The middle classes prospered
- It arguably brought about a rise in living standards
- It facilitated the growth of trade unions
What is the main historical debate surrounding this period of industrialisation?
The extent to which the population as a whole benefited and whether or not the living standards of a majority of working people improved or declined
