Chapter Seventeen Flashcards
When was the first railway line opened?
- Liverpool to Manchester.
This marked the start of rapid railway building in Britain. Immediate success encouraged others.
Demonstrating an underlying confidence in the stability of the economy as it requieed a huge commitment from investors.
What was the Institute of Civil Engineers?
Formed 1818. Engineering developed hand-in-hand with industrial progress. The Institute of Civil Engineers helped develop the profession of engineering.
Railway development meant there was an increased use of powered machinery, new opps for mach engineers- positive effect on ecomomy.
When did the planning for railways take place?
During the 1830s, although the construction was not carried out until years later. In 1836 1000 miles of track planned but not completed until 1841.
But by 1840s the profit of many of the lines sparked a mad scramble to construct railways across the country- disaster for many investors.
What was the Railway Clearing House?
Set up 1842. Managed a system of revenue distribution among the seperate railway companies. This was required as passengers could use facilities of several companies in one single journey, making allocation of revenues difficult.
How did the railway industry benefit other industries?
Coal industry provided fuel for the increasing number of locomotives, iron industry expanded due to demands for rail tracks.
Other industries benefited by being able to transport goods quickly and cheaply- resulting in cheaper goods.
Railways boosted agricutural, although many farmers were hesitant regarding having trains rushing past their farms at high speeds, but they enabled frsh produce to be delivered to large centres of population and shared by many.
Raiways extended to ports and harbours and export trade increased.
Other countries became invested.
What were the social effects of the raiways?
At first there was opposition and worry about the effects on the human body of travelling at speed, but the public quickly turned around. Brought possibiity of mobility (to search for a new job) freedom to explore new horizons e.g going to the beach for a day.
What was the 1844 Railway Act?
William Gladstone, from the Board of Trade was responsible for this. Stipulated that every railway company had to provide a carriage for third-class passengers at least once a day and that the fare should be capped at ot more than one penny a mile. It was satirised but was an important advance towards a less elitist society.
Which companies did the Railways have a negative effect on?
Canals and coaching companies did not hail the arrival of the railway as it stole their business.
People deserted coach travel and coaching inns were als casualties.
Toll roads that depended on regular traffic to pay for their upkeep also suffered.
What effects were enclosure producing on agricultural industry?
Late 1830s saw improvement in conditions for farmers, who experienced difficulties in early years.
Enclosure made soil impovement easier, increased grain for an urban population.
Enclosure Acts of 1836 and 1845 brought a rapid scramble among landowners for enclosure, with few open fields left to enclose.
By 1850 the proess of enclosure was virtually complete.
What agricultural improvements in drainage were made?
Improvements in drainage techniques
Steam drainage replaced windmill drainage
Drainage was cheap and efficient and one engine could maintain drainage of 6000 acres.
Process boosted by Peel’s agricutural drainage act in 1846, which set up loans for farmers to improve field drainage.
What improvements were made regarding fertilisers?
Greater use of fertilisers was encouraged- from animal dung to guano to treated crush bones, which increased crop yields.
What were light iron implements?
Drawn by one or two horses and lowered labour costs and increased efficiency.
What happened regarding finances in agriculture?
There was more money available for investment in farming through the success of enclosure.
Cost of the poor rates had fallen by almost half, particularly in rural areas, after the introduction of new Poor Law, which freed up more income for the farmers to invest.
What were agricultural societies?
Supported and encouraged the improvements in agriculture. Clubs journals and newspapers and books appeared throughout 1830s and 40s, offering advice n advertising products e.g Royal Agricultural Society, formed 1842 and its journal.
Who were the poorest paid workers?
Landless agricultural labourers. Poorest were in the South and West of Ireland, and their already poverty-stricken existence was challenged beyond endurance Autumn 1845.
