Industrialization Of Manchester Dbq Essay

Industrialization of Manchester DBQ Industrialization, a phenomenon that took place throughout the world in the 18th and 19th centuries, began in Great Britain. The efforts found in the Scientific Revolution, Agricultural Revolution, and Cottage Industry as well as available natural resources and prime trading locations cultivated industrialization. From textiles to coal mining, Great Britain thrived in industry and became a world political and economic power; new for their country. Urbanization occurred as cities industrialized, therefore drawing unemployed farmers and country workers there to make a living. One notable city that industrialization had a massive toll on was Manchester, which soon became a renowned city that produced cotton

Because of the invention of the steam engine, and it’s development through the years, factories were able to be built away from water and in cities. By existing in cities, transportation became more efficient and profitable for the goods produced. This led to urbanization and the consequent employment of many new workers. As stated in a business directory aksing to be granted a royal charter in 1852, with newly acquired wealth, Manchester became “the Workshop of the World;” “remarkable and attractive” to the outside world (Document #5). Because this is written from the perspective of businesses trying to succeed, it likely is biased to describe Manchester as great. Financial and legal rights to be a business would bring in more wealth, so portraying Manchester as wealthy and a major aspect of British economy is probable. That is not to say that Manchester was not a distinguished industrial city who brought in a lot of wealth, because they were. But, wealth is not the only factor in a city’s greatness. The comfort of the people and their safety is another consideration. Workers of all ages were exploited for their labor, and had to work in horrific conditions. Before reforms were passed, some children worked upwards of 12 hours a day, and safety was the least of a business owners’ cares. Luckily, the Factory Act and other similar reforms reduced

Urbanization made many families move to cities and start entirely new lifestyles that hadn’t been as prominent in the past. Before industrialization, the cottage industry, small home businesses, and farming were common forms of income. But, as they moved to cities, that had to change. Familial life weakened as mothers began working in factories, children occupying their time either working or playing in the dirty streets. People lived in overcrowded tenants or apartments. It was filthy; chockful of human waste, smoke, and sickness. Robert Southey, an English Romantic poet, wrote after witnessing Manchester’s decline, that industrialization led Manchester to become a place where one only hears, “the everlasting din of machinery, and where; when the bell rings, it is to call the wretches to their work instead of their prayers” (Document #1). It is true that as people moved away from their home churches and to the cities, church attendance declined. The duty of work became constant and life was miserable for many of the working class. Southey, as a romantic, is expectedly biased against industrialization because of the romantic nostalgia and sentimentalism towards the past. His intent in writing this was likely to persuade others that industrialization worked out negatively for Manchester, so should be avoided in order to stop suffering before it came again. He saw how people lived in