The Making of Modern Britain

By eneko.arbaud
  • Period: to

    Important population growth

    Smallpox vaccination, along with the increase of nutruition (food quality and quantity) and the decrease of infant mortality, the population went from 6 Million in 1750 to 21 Million in 1850, and to 37 Million in 1901, leading to a fear of overpopulation (food supplies not keeping pace) and Malthusianism (moral restrain, such as marrying later in life, having less children than before...).
  • Period: to

    Corn Laws passed

    Restriction of foreign import of food and grain to prevent wilde price flictuations. Some thought of it as necessary to keep British agriculture profitable with high tariffs on foreign corn. Did not work.

  • Canal Mania

  • 34% of population in urban cities

    Increase of factories in cities , and tendency to move in cities.
  • Period: to

    Victorian era

  • Anti-Corn Law League

    Lead by Richard Cobden
  • Period: to

    Spread of the Industrial Revolution

    Term of "industrialization" preferred since the 20th Century.
    Fuled by the increased use of new basic matrial such as iron/steel and coal, but also by the invention of new machines (steam engines, spinning jenny, power loom).
    At first, presence of cottage industries in home (textile production), but after the I.R., increased number of industries and factories = rise of "mechanized factory system".
  • Period: to

    Policy of free trade

  • Repeal of Corn Laws

    By Tory PM Robert Peel

  • Steam locomotives dominant in transports

  • 60% steel and coal, and 50% cotton goods in the world produced in England

  • 1/3 of manufactured goods in world produced in UK

    With the National Income per Habitant higher than any other country, Britain is the world leading commercial nation. It increased its overseas trades relying on steel-built steamships, exported cotton and other cargoes to America and Europe, and had a financial strenght (The City + Bank of England)
  • Period: to

    Late Victorian Recession

    -US and German iron and steel output overtook Britain's
    -Agricultural depression and increase of foreign competition
    -Challenged lead in manufacturig
    -Majority of great inventions now from US and Germany since mid 19th
    -Late on developping electricity
  • Period: to

    Consummer Revolution

    1. Increase in the number of consumers -Increase in population, in wage-earning opportunities for women/youth, and in spending power. -Social Emulation and conspicuous conception.
    2. Changes in distribution -Advertisement -Department stores
    3. A greater variety of goods

  • 78% of population in urban area

    Increase of factories in cities , and tendency to move in cities.

  • 20k miles of railroad in Britain