Population and Town Conditions

Between 1750-1900 the population went up

• In 1750 the number of people living in Britain was 6.5 million
• In 1900 the number of people living in Britain was 40 million

The rise in population was because the birth rate went up (more people born) and the death rate went down (less people died)

The Birth Rate went up

• People moved to towns
  • In towns there was a better choice of marriage partner
  • Workers got married and had children at a young age
• Less people were dying
  • More children survived and grew up
  • The children got married and had children of their own – more births
• Young Children could work in the mines and factories
  • Children could earn a wage for their family
  • Families were very poor and needed the money
  • Families had more children because they could bring home a wage

The Death Rate fell

• Medical improvements
  • Cleaner hospitals (iron beds were easier to clean than wooden ones)
  • Nurses were trained better
  • Edward Jenner found a cure for smallpox in 1796 which saved many lives
  • Safer operations (anaesthetics and antiseptics)
• The Public Health Acts
  • Cleaned up towns so that there was less dirt and disease
  • Drinking water was cleaner
  • Drains and sewers were built

• People were cleaner
  • Cheaper soap meant that people could wash more often
  • Cotton clothes were worn more (Cotton clothes could be cleaned more than wool ones)
  • Water supplies were cleaner so people cleaned themselves (less dirt & disease)

The Population changed between 1760 – 1870

In 1760

• Most people lived in the South East of England
• 75% of people lived in the countryside
• Most people were farmers
• The South East had better land for farming, better soil & was warmer
• London was the biggest city
• Bristol and Norwich were other bigger cities

In 1870

• Most people lived in the North & the Midlands
• Manchester, Liverpool & Birmingham were becoming huge towns
• All towns in these areas were growing very quickly
• People could get jobs and money in the new cotton & iron industries in the towns
• 50% of people now lived in towns and 50% lived in the countryside

Effect of Immigration & Emigration

Immigration

• This is the number of foreigners coming into the country

Emigrations

• This is the number of people leaving the country

The effect of immigration and…