Cotton and coal/ changing Britain

Question 1

Coal mine dangers

Answer 1

As the mines went deeper, roof falls became a serious problem as miners could become trapped
When it rained, water could build up at the bottom of the pit causing it to flood
Lack of ventilation meant dangerous gases could build up in the pit
Sometimes air did not enough oxygen, so miners could suffocate
Also fire clamp, which could ignite and cause explosions

Question 2

Danger in the mills

Answer 2

Fingers would get caught in the clog or fingers get caught in the wheels and catch fingers and tear them off
Workers were scalped when hair was caught on the machines
Air is filled with fibours dust, which causes chest infections

Question 3

New technology in cotton mills

Answer 3

Machines using water and later steam power replaced human labour using hand looms and spinning wheels.
Domestic production at home was replaced by the factory system. Workers had to move from villages to towns to be near the factories.
Examples of machinery - Flying Shuttle/Jenny/Water Frame/Mule/Power loom. Increased production, more jobs, increased profits.
Effects on workers – e.g., weavers became unemployed due to power looms and had to accept factory discipline.
Factory work was bad for the health of workers and there were many accidents.
The working conditions for children in factories were bad.