Standard Grade Revision Britain 1830-1930 Life in the Countryside

Living Conditions In 1830s conditions for farms were basic. Workers or “Cottars” lived in single-roomed houses. As farming improved so did some accommodation, with rows of houses being built for farm workers.

Blackhouse No chimney Animals at one end By the 1850s landlords rebuilt and improved cottages – but higher rents and no increase in wages

Shielings Many smaller buildings were used as shielings. These were seasonal houses, often in higher pastures, were families would take their cattle for the best graving. Usually built in groups next to streams and lochs.

Other Highland housing Farmers who farmed large areas of land lived in two-storey homes with slate roofs. Wealthier landowners and huge dwellings, often like castles, with several rooms and servants.

Working Conditions In 1830s farm workers were unhappy with their working conditions: Poorly paid – 35p-40p per week Work physically demanding No unions, so workers could be sacked without warning Tied houses, quality of housing poor & rent high. 1872 Agricultural Labourers’ Union

The increasing population meant new farming methods had to be found. Enclosing the land meant not as many people were needed to farm the land but more food was produced: Strip farming or runrig Effects of enclosures: Countryside changed appearance with new larger farmhouses and small villages becoming depopulated. Open fields gave way to compact farms with hedges and ditches. More land was cultivated and animals became fatter. Profits for farmers increased. Many people lost their jobs and moved to towns.

Changes in farming resulted in new technologies being used: Seed drill Horse-pulled plough Scientific approach to breeding animals The 1830s-70s was the “Golden Age” for British farming. Food prices were high so most framers had little difficulty in paying rent. 1830s & 1840s – Corn Laws – stopped foreign corn coming into Britain until British corn reached a certain price. “Golden Age “ ended after a succession of wet summers and bad harvest, combined with cattle and sheep disease, led to a depression for farmers.

Start of C20th brought change in government attitude towards farming Start of C20th brought change in government attitude towards farming. It preferred to provide cheap food from overseas. By 1914 Britain imported almost 60% of all its foodstuffs. During the First World War, women began to play an even bigger role in farming, only for farming to experience a further depression in the 1920s and 1930s.