CAMBRIDGEASHISTORYREVISION

PAPER2INDUSTRIALREVOLUTION

PASTPAPERS2016

Explain why the Industrial Revolution affected the standard of living. [10]

A variety of central factors could be considered. Real wages certainly rose and fell in different areas and for different reasons. Earlier agricultural changes had made a major impact on diet and population rose as a result. However, the decline in infant mortality led to larger families which in itself had an impact on the standard of living. In some cases housing improved, but the transition from a rural to an urban slum was often not a beneficial process.Diseases such as cholera thrived better in an urban environment. Regular factory wages could be an improvement on a subsistence existence, but economic recession could cause devastation to an area dependent on a single industry. The effect on a growing middle class could be dramatic and further up the social scale those aristocrats who did invest could reap huge benefits. For many there was a dramatic improvement, but not all the benefits flowed equally downwards.

‘Without changes in transport there would have been no industrial revolution.’

How far do you agree? Refer to any two countries in your answer.

[20]

There is a good case to argue here as without the ability to move materials in bulk there might have been some industrial change, but never anything that amounted to a ‘revolution’.Some consideration of what might, or might not, constitute a ‘revolution’ could be included. The key changes in transport do need to be reflected on and their impact on the whole process of industrial change. Canals made bulk transport possible, moving raw materials inland, finished products out and bringing in the necessary energy supplies such as coal.Canals were such massive enterprises that they led to the growth of the joint stock company and were also a great stimulus to banking and capitalism generally as well as huge employers.

The railways provided even greater stimulus to the whole process and, of course, had an insatiable demand for iron, coal and steel. Roads and shipping could also be covered. The focus could well be on what transport changes made possible. Other factors which were of equal or possibly greater importance, such as agricultural change, the role of government and entrepreneurs and, of course, of technological advances, could be considered as well. Without a growing population and increasing markets and sources of raw materials, there possibly could have been no ‘revolution’ either.

Explain why the railways were important to the Industrial Revolution after 1800. [10]

It could be stated that they ‘were’ the Industrial Revolution in some areas. Their impact was massive. Not only did they have an insatiable demand for coal, iron, steel, labour, banking services and investment which was an enormous stimulus, but they also enabled the transportation of huge quantities of raw materials, finished goods, foodstuffs and people quickly and efficiently. Their stimulus to capitalism, technical innovation, engineering and organisational growth/development was also massive. There is a great deal to choose from.

‘Governments did little to encourage the Industrial Revolution.’ How far

do you agree? Refer to any two countries in your answer. [20]

Governments had a mixed record in this respect. Certainly the laissez faire policy of the UK proved to be of enormous benefit and Parliament’s willingness to pass legislation, such as enclosure acts and new patent laws, was of great help. Governments tended universally to be hostile to labour organising itself which, of course, benefitted the manufacturer and employer. Some encouraged far too much regulation and control; France was often an example of this, which was to stifle growth. Guilds with their restrictive practices were encouraged and supported by some, and actively discouraged by others.

Attitudes to the growth of capitalism and banking could vary. Some were hostile to the degree of social mobility which resulted from change, others actively encouraged it. The willingness to assist in creating new markets, defending those already gained was important, as was the attitude to free trade and open markets. The best responses will have specific examples from named countries and avoid generalisations.

Explain why the working classes were affected by

industrialisation. [10]

In most cases there was a profound impact. The rise of an industrial proletariat where one had not really existed before was a major issue. For many there was the change from either the subsistence economy to a wage based one, or a move from a skilled/cottage industry based system to a factory one. Real wages overall went up and in some, but not all, cases the standard of living improved. There was greater scope for personal and social mobility and industrial organisation, and ultimately politicisation was to follow.

‘Governments did little to encourage the Industrial Revolution.’ How far do you

agree? Refer to any two countries in your answer.

[20]

Private enterprise played a key role in causing the Industrial Revolution. People with money were prepared to invest it in projects (through the purchase of shares) which offered the prospect of a healthy return with little interference from governments which largely followed laissez-faire principles. New farming methods, such as the development of enclosures, were dependent on private capital, as were significant improvements in transport (roads, canals and railways).

Private capital was responsible for the establishment of factories, their owners able to reap the rewards of cheap labour initially unprotected by government legislation.Important though capitalism was, however, the Industrial Revolution was caused by the interaction of a number of different factors. For example, developments in agriculture were vital to sustaining a growth in population, which both increased demand and provided the labour force required to meet it. Improvements in transport were essential in order to move food, raw materials and finished products. Inventions and technological developments enabled the vast increase in the output of coal, iron, steel, food and industrial goods.