Merthyr

Question 1

What factors helped the iron industry develop so rapidly?

Answer 1

There was a variety of raw materials on the area as well as improved transport facilities. Such as coal, high quality iron and steel as well as water. There was also a high population which increased production for this demand of rich resources

Question 2

Why was there such a growth in the population?

Answer 2

Because the supply of ironstone began to ran out and as a result needed to build new steelworks elsewhere. There were no planning laws or town council to regulate this expansion, and as a consequence turned overcrowded filthy and unhealthy quickly. They had to build houses for workers close to ironworks and coal mines as possible.

Question 3

What were the housing conditions of the skilled artisans in 1850s

Answer 3

Two stories high with many furniture

• chairs window and table
• two bedrooms but no toilet ( accom

Question 4

What was the slum housing like in Merthyr during 1849

Answer 4

Vagrants or “trampers” lived here
Situated in a dip or hollow of terraced houses
Overcrowded - industrial revolution
Stench was revolting, rotten vegetables and bodies cramped together - slept on floors

Question 5

What was the life expectancy for an industrial worker

Answer 5

22.

Question 6

What was the highest death rate out of the life stages

Answer 6

Children. Three quarters of deaths were children under five

Question 7

Which outbreaks were disease were present during Merthyr poor living conditions

Answer 7

Typhoid
Smallpox
Scarlett fever 
Measles
Cholera frequently

Question 8

When did public taps in Merthyr finally become available

Answer 8

1861

Question 9

What was the water like in Merthyr

Answer 9

Dirty, many people emptied their waste onto the streets which never were cleaned

Question 10

What was the truck system?

Answer 10

The truck system was how the iron workers got paid, using tokens. Being operated by Dowlais and Homfreys

Question 11

How did the truck system add to the poverty of Merthyr

Answer 11

Iron workers weren’t getting paid like they use to and they were encouraged to take out loans and go into debt. This system of payment was known as long pay

Question 12

What was the sexual nature like due to lawlessness in Merthyr

Answer 12

Prostitution became frequent
Were notorious in China for stealing from clients
Encouraged men to drink
Seen in Poorest parts of town

Question 13

What was poverty like at Merthyr due to lawlessness

Answer 13

Stealing clothing, food and coal
Vagrants and beggars present
Were attracted to Merthyr

Question 14

What was leisure time like in Merthyr due to lawlessness

Answer 14

Worst drunkers were women
Drunken brawls
Violence in Irish population of the town

Question 15

How was the iron works in Merthyr’s lawlessness period

Answer 15

In discipline

Stole coal from the ironworks because so poor

Question 16

What was “Little Hell”

Answer 16

Known as a rookery, worst place in Merthyr for crime near carthafer

Question 17

Who was an emperor and empress

Answer 17

Dominated the area, with powerful criminals who got the nickname “celestial empire”

Question 18

What were Rodnies in Merthyr

Answer 18

Child thieves and pickpocketters under supervision of gang masters

Question 19

Who were bullies

Answer 19

Gave instructions to prostitutes and protected their partners in crime

Question 20

What was the problem with arresting the emperor and empress

Answer 20

As soon as they were arrested other criminals inherited their roles (imperial titles)

Question 21

What elements of self policing existed in Merthyr

Answer 21

Public humiliation
Wooden horse
Pelted with mad and stoens

Question 22

What was the failings of Merthyr

Answer 22

Only had constables doing policing who weren’t paid and didn’t take their job seriously, wasn’t enough police watching the area as it was expanding.

Question 23

What happened in 1816 Merthyr

Answer 23

Price of food increased and depression
Army was called - highlights police force wasnt great
Reduced the wages
Dic penderyn came

Question 24

When was the Merthyr uprising

Answer 24

1831, sparked by anger at low pay, debt and appalling working conditions in the iron works and mines of the town. Organisers say the festival marks the town’s proud history of radicalism and creativity.

Question 25

Who was dic penderyn

Answer 25

Army had to get involved, dic stabbed a person in the regiment. Was a welsh hero. Got hanged in cardiff

Question 26

What were the attempts after the Merthyr rising to get a police force

Answer 26

Magistrates asked Metropolitan police for help. Became too expensive to operate. Used old stocks or lock ups to house disorderly people. Called the “Black Hole”.

Question 27

Name the four large ironworks in Merthyr

Answer 27

Dowlais
Cyfarthfa
Plymouth
Penydarren

Question 28

What were rookeries

Answer 28

19th and 18th century were slums within the city occupied by poor people. Low quality housing, and little or no sanitation.