REVISION: Britain, 1830-1930

POPULATION Between 1830 and 1930 the

population more than doubled There were shifts in population from

rural areas to urban areas PULL FACTORS:1. Better job prospects in the city2. More to do in the city3. A desire to be with family members

Population continued PUSH FACTORS:

1. Highland Clearances

2. Irish/Highland Potato Famines

3. Job loss due to introduction of machinery OTHER FACTORS:

1. Better healthcare meant people lived longer

2. Better pay meant people married younger and had bigger families

FARMINGFarming techniques were improved

between 1830 and 1930New machines like the combine

harvester and threshing machine were introduced

New techniques in breeding came aboutEnclosures replaced strip farmingFertilisers were better

FARMING & PEOPLEMany labourers lost their jobs due to

new ploughs etc Farming and rural communities sufferedAs city populations grew more food had

to be produced so existing farmers were very busy

New crops had to be grown (such as fruit) because of failed harvests

INDUSTRY: Coal Mining Most coalfields were in the Central Belt Demand for coal was created by:

1. Industry, e.g. factories

2. Transport, e.g. trains and steamers

3. Fuel for houses Early mines were called ‘bell pits’ Later mines were called ‘board & pillar’

Coal Mining - jobsTRAPPERS:Young children opened trap doors for

the trolleysHEWERS:Men or older boys cut the coalBEARERS:Carts full of cut coal were dragged by

women and children

Coal Mining – C20Mines were nationalised during WW1Coal was so essential during WW1 that

miners were exempt from active serviceAfter the war conditions suffered and

the demand for coal droppedMiners went on strike to get better

conditions but this failed

TRANSPORT: Railways The first trains were on wooden track

down the mines In 1812 the first railway was authorised by

Parliament George Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’ was one of

the first locomotives In 1830 the average speed of trains was

36 mph In 1830 there were 69 miles of railway, but

by 1870 there were 15,557 miles of track!

Benefits of Railway People could go on holiday to other parts of

the UK Food could get to market much quicker Mail could be delivered much faster Common time was now kept because of

timetables People could move out of over-crowded

cities and commute from rural areas Created jobs, e.g. building the Forth Bridge

Disadvantages of Railway It caused pollution It destroyed some of the landscapeSome people were initially swindled out

of their landSome people were injured or killed on

the tracksFarms could be badly affected

Other modes of transport

By the 1920s it was not uncommon for people to use a motor car

Buses and lorries had also been invented by the end of our course

Ship building (luxury liners and war ships) was a huge industry in Glasgow.

Trams were popular in some cities.

HOUSING AND HEALTH A growing population meant that cities

became over-crowded Some new towns developed because of

industry or population increases The poor tended to live in homes with

poor sanitation, not enough windows and with a lack of running water

Typically the poor lived in back-to-back tenements

Other HousingPeople who had become financially

successful during the Industrial Revolution were able to live in terraced or semi-detached homes with gardens, inside toilets and running water.

Very rich people could afford a town house (usually 3 storeys) and a country mansion – with servants’ quarters

Improvements in Housing World War One highlighted poverty to the

government Lloyd George wanted “homes fit for

heroes” New homes built had water, toilets,

windows and many rooms Wheatley Act of 1924 meant council

houses had to be built Slum clearances were also carried out

Health Health problems among poor people often

stemmed from bad housing and poor sanitation.

The worst epidemic of the time was cholera which killed thousands of people

Cholera was caused by drinking infected water

Other common diseases were smallpox, tuberculosis, diphtheria, typhoid

Health Improvements The invention of the microscope meant doctors (like

Robert Koch) could link germs to diseases like cholera

Big cities got clean water supplies: e.g. Loch Katrine Reservoir in Glasgow, 1876

Better diet, thanks to better transport Cheaper soaps etc became available Better medicines, vaccinations and antiseptics

became available in hospitals Public Health Act 1875 made sure the streets were

clean

Democracy In 1830 only wealthy, male landowners could become

MPs or vote Voting took place in hustings 1832 saw the Great Reform Act which gave the vote

to some Middle Class males 1867 Reform Act expanded the vote to all Middle

Class men and some Working Class men 1884 Act gave even more men in the rural areas the

vote In 1872 the Secret Ballot Act was introduced In 1911 MPs received a salary for the 1st time

Democracy for Women The Representation of the Peoples Act of

1918 gave women over 30 the vote The Representation of the Peoples Act of

1928 gave women over 21 the vote, which gave them equal voting rights with men

Women got the vote because of:1. The NUWSS 2. The WSPU3. World War I

Other Changes for Women After WWI women no longer had to go out

with a chaperone Women cut their hair and started to dress

how they wanted to Women could work where they wanted but

would not get equal pay until the 1960s Women could go to University and make a

career for themselves as a doctor, lawyer, teacher or businesswoman

Main Changes UK’s population more than doubled Industry overtook agriculture as the main

employer Middle Class and Working Class people

gained more democratic rights Women stopped being classed as second

class citizens Everyone got healthier It became easier to move around the county