Britain industrialised considerably before the rest of Europe. This was due to many factors. Britain, compared to the rest of Europe had political stability, and it also possessed rich men who could provide capital in new enterprises. It also had the labour force, due to the increase in population. Fortunately, as steam power was vital for increased production, Britain had an abundance of coal and iron.
A big effect the Industrial Revolution had on British society was the tremendous growth of cities. People from all over the country migrated to big cities in search of higher wages. Factories paid much more than agricultural work, and therefore the population rose immensely in big cities. This was one of the major changes the industrial revolution had on the country. Population grew to a further level again, as families were desperate for children to work in factories, as they were allowed to do this from the age of 5 or 6. "Two children I know got employment in a factory when they were five years old………….the spinning men or women employ children if they can get a child to do their business……..the child is paid one shilling or one shilling and six pence, and they will take that (five year old) child before they take an older one who will cost more." George Gould, a Manchester merchant, wrote in 1816.
Between 1695 and 1841 the population in Britain rose by 60%, from 5.5 million to 15.9 million. Because of the sudden increase in population, cheap housing needed to be provided. Therefore, a house was put up quickly and cheaply – and as many were built as was possible. The Industrial Revolution saw the start of what were known as back-to-back terrace housing. These had no garden and the only part of the building not connected to another house would be the front entrance (unless you were lucky enough to live in the end of the terrace). None of these homes was built with a bathroom, toilet or running water. People had to either wash in a tin bath in the home with the water being collected from a local pump or they simply didn’t wash. Many didn’t wash as it was simply easier. Throughout the eighteenth century sanitation and hygiene barely existed, and therefore people were unaware of the risks. There were various outbreaks of cholera. The cause of this was simple – sewage was being allowed to come into contact with drinking water and contaminating it. Sewage pipes were an expensive thing to have, and the poor could not afford it. People also used river water as their source of drinking water, so that the disease spread with ease.
Working conditions were horrendous. 46% of workers working in factories and such like organisations were women, and 15% were children (child labour). Workers were penalised for arriving late, and thus brought in a new idea of time, which was not used much before. They were also penalised for talking, going to the toilet, or even resting. Workers had to work as long as 16 hours a day. Children were very useful as they could fit their small bodies into machines to fix things. They often did this while the machines were running, and could therefore encounter dangers, such as cutting of a limb. This, together with crammed housing and a poor way of life was not ideal, even if the wages were substantially better than agriculture.
People who did not turn up for work normally lost their jobs. This gave the society an air of instability, no reassured income. People who lost their jobs found it hard to find other jobs, and had to live off nothing for that period.
Migrants to the towns soon found that town life was drastically different to traditional village life. In villages people knew each other, and were ready to support each other through periods of difficulty or illness. The Industrial Revolution also brought an end to the face-to-face society.
People also knew everyone in the villages, so not much crime was committed, as everyone would know who it was (in most cases). This was why laws had not been enforced in villages. There was no need for them, as everyone knew that what they did would be monitored. This was not the case in big cities. People diddled each other, and crime was also committed. There were no laws at all for factories, organisations, or people, in the eighteenth century. A police force had to be deployed in cities to assure stability. This was the start of one of the most important effects of the Industrial Revolution. It led to the enforcement of Law. This was necessary to control factories, clubs, and different organisations. There was a new conception of the state.
The Industrial Revolution may have been a step towards civilisation, modernity, and a contributing factor to why Britain is so rich compared to most of the rest of the world. This may be good, but many of our forefathers’ lived in hardship, and had an unbearable way of life. The Industrial Revolution was also making the gap between the rich and the poor wider, giving the rich an excessive amount of power over the poor. It is debatable whether or not the Industrial Revolution was a good occurrence or not. I hope that I have shown that I think that the Industrial Revolution is not just a few inventions, but a change to the whole society of Britain. In terms of life as a whole, the step was needed for us to be where we are at present, and I am thankful for that.
Jack Macfarlane
History
16/9/02
