To what extent did the industrial revolution adversely affect the lives of people in Britain?? Flashcards
Factor 1- Living conditions
Facts- 1750, only London and Edinburgh had populations over 50,000, but by 1851, 9 cities had populations of over 100,000, with London housing 2.3 million
-increase in transport, 6000 miles of railway by 1850, previously horse and coach travel, or walking was used,
People moving into cities to work would likely find themselves in back to back housing; cheap employer built housing with little natural light, cesspits of waste and sewage that leaked into water supplies, and 3 brick deep foundations.
-Because of poor sanitation following industrialisation, Chadwick published a report (sold 100,000 copies) looking into the living conditions and health of towns, in the short run changes were unsuccessful and didn’t help; Public health act 1848 organised central board of health to oversee local health organisations but lacked support and funding, but in the long run the sanitary act 1866 was much more widely enforced, had mandatory quarantine for infectious diseases and was hard to ignore for businesses and towns.
Explanation- The living conditions were adversely affected by the revolution; in the short term it’s likely that living conditions fell as population increased by so much that it was unsustainable to house all the new people living in cities safely and with adequate sanitation. In the long term, Britain came to terms with the rapid industrialisation, and thanks to Chadwick, living condition began to improve again as local councils enforced measures to improve health and safety of people.
Factor 2- Working conditions
Facts- previously workers were from rural areas in small industries that were done in households, but as infrastructure improved and people moved to the cities, workers were packed into small floor spaces, 2/3 of workers employed in industry in 1871.
- Other than improved pay, benefits for factory workers over agricultural workers were almost non existent, factories and mines were much more dangerous for workers, 3/20 children died in the first year in mines, Martha Appleton severed her hand in a machine in 1857, and the working week was 6 days of 14 hours with minimal breaks
- In the long term however, working conditions began to change for the better; Factory act 1833 prevented children under 9 from employment, gave 12 hour working day to 13-18 year olds, made employers keep register of all children, and allowed breaks of 1.5 hours a day. Further reforms include the 1842 mines act led by Lord Ashley who illustrated horrors of children in mines, and 1842 act banned women and children under 10 from mine works, 1844 factory act fenced off dangerous equipment, employed inspectors to check out conditions and children and women given 12 hour days max.
Explanation- Again, working conditions saw adverse change from the revolution, with conditions getting drastically worse in the short term, but seeing widespread improvements starting in 1833 that improves them a lot too. The change from agriculture to industry for the working class was a significant change in any way, as it was so different working in factories from working in fields, but it’s clear that the change began very negatively and slowly improved overtime as once again, Britain adapted to the revolution.
Factor 3- Industrial/worker protest
Facts- previous to the revolution, there was very little need for workers protest, because industry wasn’t developed enough and attitudes towards workers rights weren’t developed enough for workers to come together and protest.
- When industry increased and workers felt they were losing out in terms of wages, jobs etc, workers began to riot, firstly was the luddite movement of 1811(Nottingham) where workers damaged £6000-£10000 worth of steam powered handlooms that were supposedly replacing their jobs. They continued to riot in 1812, so much so that factory owners employed security to stop them, even with the Frame breaking act of 1812 that made the frame breaking punishable by death.
- The Swing riots in 1830-31 saw agricultural workers rioting about threshing machines that were taking their jobs (did the work of 15 men each) First burning took place in Kent 1830, and 1976 people were arrested. They demanded stable wages, lower rent and more jobs. Because of industrialisation, and the lack of money and opportunity for agricultural workers in comparison, agricultural workers campaigned ruthlessly like never before, a direct impact and change because of industrialisation. Previously no need to do it.
- 10 hour movement led by Ricard Oestler and George Bull, and aided by the support of Lord Ashley, John Fielden and Michael Sadler campaigned with workers for a 10 hour working day, using meetings, petitions, talks etc to appeal to parliament. 10 hour day achieved for women and children in 1847.
Judgement- Because of industrialisation, for the first time there was emphasis on the rights and needs of workers that had not previously been explored before, that was felt in both industry and agriculture. This could be considered once again an adverse change for many people in Britain, as even those who didn’t come to work in the cities saw new protests, however these riots weren’t necessarily mass movements, so the extent of change would not have been felt by all workers
Judgement/ line of argument
The industrial revolution did adversely affect the lives of British people in both the long and short term. Those who made the transition from agriculture to industry would’ve been unable to avoid the short term decline in living and working conditions, as rapid industrial created many unforeseen problem regarding this, but as Britain adapted to the revolution, these workers would’ve seen their working and living conditions changed again, this time in a positive manner. Those who didn’t make the transition would’ve felt the effects of industrialisation less, as the money did not diffuse to the rural areas, however there was still change for agricultural workers in the form of the growth of protest. Although not all of these people were involved in the swing riots, those who were would’ve felt liberated for the first time by the idea of revolution; an adverse change from their less radical previous experiences in agriculture.
