What was the impact of Industrialisation on Britain at the start of the 19th Century?

Early Industrialisation 1780-1850 From around 1780 Britain quickly became an industrialised nation WHY DID INDUSTRIALISATION OCCUR?

decrease in mortality rate Population rise Population of England and Wales 1700 5.8 million 1800 9.1 million 1900 35 million Why? increase in birth rate decrease in mortality rate Thomas Malthus (1799) ‘famine, disease and war are necessary natural agents to curtail the multiplication of numbers of human beings’

Demographic changes – movement into towns and cities 1700 1800

Poor living conditions

Poor working conditions

A new working class The poor living and working conditions in the new industrial cities meant that thousands of people now lived in close proximity and shared the same experiences…the working class was born…

Thousands of people lived in poverty

Who were the poor? According to Henry Mayhew… Those who will work These poor were able-bodied and had jobs Labourers e.g. farm servants / miners Craftsmen e.g. bricklayers / ironworkers Skilled artisans e.g. cabinetmakers / machine tool engineers Those who cannot work These poor could not work even if they wanted to Able-bodied but no jobs available e.g. millworkers following a failed cotton crop Disabled e.g. through injury, disease or illness The Childless Elderly Those who will not work These poor chose not to work Beggars and vagrants 40,000 to 100,000 Usually men and boys

Do you agree that life was hard for the new working class in the early 19th Century? Use sources and your own knowledge (40 marks)