Changing Life in Scotland and Britain KU. 1830s-1930s
Posted by Duncan Birse on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Under: Standard Grade History Revision
Population Growth
- Many medical discoveries helped to decrease the death rate.
- People were marrying earlier and also having much larger families.
- There was improvements in housing and hygiene.
- Improved water supplies led to reductions in the amount of deaths by killer diseases.
- Infant and maternal mortality decreased.
- The life expectancy was increasing.
- Many immigrants moved from Ireland (the famine)
Emigration
- People lost jobs and housing in Scotland.
- Poor living standards in Scotland.
- Join family already abroad.
- Opportunity to get land and become rich.
Immigration
- The Irish came to Scotland to escape the Potato blight/famine.
- Others came to avoid religious persecution.
- Others simply came to improve their Standard of Living.
Poor Housing
- Lack of light, ventilation and dampness.
- Roofs would leak.
- Houses often overcrowded with up to 6 sharing a bed!
- Open sewers and water supplies were often polluted.
- Water supplies were often shared.
- Rats lived in the cellars spreading disease and there was filth everywhere.
What Caused the Disease?
- Open Middens and Sewers.
- Shared water which was polluted led to Cholera.
- Lice, Flies and Rats would lead to Typhus.
- Poor diets, lack of fruit and Veg.
- Damness and poor ventilation led to Tuberculosis.
- Overcrowding lead to disease spreading rapidly.
- People could not afford to visit the Doctor.
Improvements in Housing
- Addison Housing Act 1919 - By 1922, 312000 new homes were built.
- Chamberlain Housing Act 1923 - Private builders were given subsidies to build new homes. By 1929, 438000 new homes were built.
- Wheatley Housing Act 1924 - Central Government gave Local Councils subsidies to build houses. By 1933, 500,000 new homes were built.
- Greenwoods Act 1930 - The Government paid Local Councils to demolish slum housing and rehouse the people who lived there. By 1939, 245000 slums were demolished.
- New machines made farming easier, but led to unemployment and the loss of their homes because often houses were tied to the job.
- Machines included 'Tull's Seed Drill' and Threshing and reaping machines.
- Tractors started to become common in the 1920s.
- Petrol and Oil began replacing man and horse power by the end of the period.
- There was the introduction of Enclosures and Crop Rotations.
Country Housing Between the 1830s and 1930s
- Poor quality houses with no electricity or gas and were often overcrowded.
- Married couples were given Cottar Houses but yet again this was very basic accommodation.
- After 1850, improvements were made but as a result, the Landlords would often increase the rent.
The Dangers of Coal Mining
- Mines could have poisonous gases inside them.
- They could flood which would kill miners.
- The roofs could cave in on the miners.
- Made to work up to 14 hours a day and were often beaten for trivial offences.
The Mines Act 1842
- No women or girls to work underground.
- No boys under 10 to work underground.
- No child under 15 to be left in charge of a machine.
- Inspectors were to be appointed.
Benefits of the Railways
- People were able to travel across Britain more comfortably and at a cheaper cost.
- Fresh food could be transported across Britain easily.
- People could now go on holidays.
- By 1860, it employed over 100,000 people.
- Improved communication with the distribution of Mail and Newspapers.
- Whole of Britain went onto standard time.
Steps To Democracy
- 1867 - Votes for working men in towns.
- 1872 - Voting in secret.
- 1884 - Votes for working men in the countryside.
- 1918 - Votes for women over 30.
- 1928 - Votes for women over 21.
Methods of The Suffragists
- Peaceful Marches and Demonstrations.
- Letters to MPs, Newspapers and Petitions.
- Posters and Flags erected.
- Speeches and Rallies
Tactics of the Suffragettes
- Slashed paintings in galleries.
- Would set pillar boxes on fire.
- Would smash windows.
- Burnt down important buildings such as Primary Schools.
- Would cut telephone wires.
- Emily Davidson actually killed herself. (Search on YouTube)
- Hunger Strikes whilst in Prison.
Why Were Women Not Given The Vote Before 1918?
- Majority of MPs were against women having the vote.
- Their militant tactics made people think they were irresponsible
- Many Liberals believed that women would vote for the Conservatives.