THE VICTORIAN AGE: A GOLDEN AGE OR AN AGE OF MISERY? THE VICTORIAN TOWNS

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE VICTORIAN AGE: Industrial revolution: the industrial revolution started with the introduction of capitalism. Technological advances: introduction of steam hammers, locomotives… Economical progress: Britain was the first economical power in the world till 1901, as the Usa became the leader, but it remained the first in manufacturing.

Drawing of a crushing mill

Representation of a cotton factory

Crystal Palace Crystal Palace was a construction of iron and glass. It contained a great exhibition of technological advances (steam hammers, locomotive….). This exhibition had a political purpose: it was useful to show the supremacy of Britain in the world - economy.

1820 Writers spoke about the “machine age” with a positive tone BUT ON THE OTHER HAND it implied a high social and environmental cost.

The heroes of the age Scientists, in particular engineers, were described like heroes by many writers like Samuel Sniles. From this point of view, technological progress and mechanical inventions were the result of inspired, intuitive leaps made by heroic figures.

The cartoons The first cartoon appeared in 1850. Cartoons were used to emphasise the importance of industry during the Victorian Age.

Negative aspects of the Victorian Age: Pollution in the towns due to factory activity: in fact life in the countryside was much healthier. Hygienic conditions (cities were too densely populated, most people lived in miserable conditions; most houses shared water supplies) Epidemics (cholera,thyphoid), with a consistant increase of death in the cities.

In 1851 half of Britain’s population lived in towns, which offered a better chance of work and higher wages than the countryside…

But life expectation in the towns was of only 26 years: Large towns were unhealthy. New epidemics were stalking the cities. Such a high mortality, hadn’t been seen since the Black Death DE

The crisis of epidemics came to a peak in the “Great Stink”.

The “Great Stink” This expression is used to describe the terrible smell in London, coming from the Thames. The “Miasmas”, exhalations from decaying matter, poisoned the air.

The houses Poor families, with 4-5 children, lived in houses with 2-3 rooms and without a lavatory. The houses of the rich had water in the kitchen, gas lighting, flushing toilets and were decorated.

The clubs The clubs had their origin in the coffee houses, but they contributed to increase the difference between social classes. In fact only people belonging to high classes could be members of a club.

Municipal corporations: In the early 19th century many towns were governed by municipal corporations, usually of self-electing members. Parliament reformed municipal administration in 1835, but even if corporations were elected, voters were self-interested owners of small property. Many towns voted for cheap governments, with a policy of low spending on drains or water supplies.

The Victorian Age was an age of misery, because the process of industrialization had a high social cost