Was Life Much Better in 1900 than in 1750? Explain your Answer Carefully.
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Introduction
Was Life Much Better in 1900 than in 1750? Explain your Answer Carefully. Many changes took place between 1750 and 1900, including the Industrial Revolution, the developments of vaccinations and the invention of the railways and canals. These all had a great effect on life for the general population. The population in 1750 was only eleven million; four fifths of these people were spread out around the countryside. By 1900, there were forty million people living in towns which was a large increase in people, the number of babies dying was reducing and so was the death rate, it dropped from twenty-eight deaths for every 1000 to just eighteen. People started to change the countryside into towns and pollution began to clog up the countryside, England became overcrowded in 1900. The Industrial Revolution saw huge changes in the way Britain worked. Between 1750 and 1900 Britain's economy changed from being agricultural, with people working on the land and in their own homes (domestic system) to being industrial with workers working in factories, mills and mines. Power for machines made some jobs easier and also made some jobs safer. Not many children in 1750 went to school and those that did were boys. ...read more.
Middle
The railways were popular because they were an easy way to get goods from one place to another. People started to travel more - to football matches, to horse races and to the seaside. Toy trains and train sets became popular with children, and people became healthier because trains meant that food could be brought to them quicker, which meant it was fresher. Many canal and turnpike trusts went out of business, as the railways were a faster method of travel, but also invented were cars and bicycles, both a success even though cars were only allowed to travel at the maximum of fourteen miles an hour. In 1837 Victoria became queen and the Victorians had a different lifestyle to people at the beginning of 1750. There were more opportunities for men and different social classes. William Goodwin, who worked at 159 Queen's Crescent, Kentish Town, said: "Getting up early and waiting behind the shop door with trestles and boards for the police to blow a whistle at 6am as the signal for business to commence. There would be a great rush to set up the stalls." A lot of working class peoples lives were dominated by work, they worked hard to get a decent wage. ...read more.
Conclusion
He was expected never to be reluctant and not often tired." Boys went to school if they could afford it, while the girls stayed at home and worked around the house, or went out to work. In parts of the British Empire and the world other major events happened, the French Revolution began in 1789 and a lot of laws and the way the country was run changed, also it played a large part in the becoming of the modern world. In conclusion, I think that life was better in 1900 than in 1750. I think this because the development of a lot of things had happened, for example they discovered germs and bacteria and were able to prevent diseases with simple vaccinations, so the death rate dropped a large amount. I think that work improved a great deal as health and safety regulations were introduced and people did not have to work such long hours in difficult conditions. It became compulsory for children to go to school so a lot more people could read and write so there were more opportunities for jobs. Transport improved in speed and it was a lot easier to travel around so people started to have holidays. In 1900, in general, people's working lives were easier, their health improved and they started to have leisure time. ...read more.
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