The population growth of Europe (measured in millions) from the years 1700 to 1800. It shows that Russia had a very dramatic rise from 13 million to about 35 million in 75 years. Ireland, Sweden and East Prussia had a million people increase at the most. England, Italy and France increased their populations between 1-5 million as well.
The Imports of Raw Cotton
In the year 1760, Britain imported 2.5 million pounds of raw cotton; mostly processed by hand in the cottage system. During the year 1787, Britain imported 22 million pounds of raw cotton; mostly processed by machines and water power. In the year 1840, Britain imported 366 million tons of raw cotton; mostly processed in factories by steam power.
It went from 2.5 million pounds to 366 million tons in as little as 80 years!
It went from 2.5 million pounds to 366 million tons in as little as 80 years!
Child Labour
There were children as little as 3 years old going in to the workforce during the Industrial Revolution. Each child had to work 10-14 hours each day, with maybe a 2 hour maximum break (two 30 minute breaks during the day and one hour break at night). They were lucky to get that amount of time for resting if they did. The older people put them in the smallest of tunnels that they couldn't easily fit into. This lead to many illnesses and injuries, including death, for the children. Being exposed to gases and fumes and tunnels collapsing were a few dangers of the underground tunnels, but the adults also used children for farming because they were 'closer to the ground'. This lead to over-exposure to sunlight, severe burns, cuts etc.
Horsepower in Steam Engines
In the year 1800, Steam engines generating 10,000 horsepower were made. By 1850, 500,000 horsepower stationary engines were made; 790,000 horsepower in mobile engines.
Random Facts
Did you know that there was a shortage of houses, so many people had to share a room in other peoples houses? Rooms were rented to whole families or perhaps several families. Often ten or twelve people shared one room. If there was no rooms to rent, people stayed in lodging houses.
Did you know that many factory owners built houses for their workers near their factories? The houses were built close together really quickly and cheaply. These houses often had two rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs. They were not really big enough for the large families people tended to have during the Victorian time.
Did you know that in 1832 over 31,000 people died during an outbreak of cholera and lots more killed by smallpox, typhus and and dysentery? This happened due to crammed housing, poor living conditions and the amount of pollution on the streets. All of this equal the perfect breeding ground for diseases.
Did you know that the Public Health Act of 1875 banned open sewers, thanks to Joseph Bazalgette’s sewage system? Houses were made further apart, rubbish collection was introduced and public health inspectors had to be provided by the local council. They basically had to go round whatever town or city they were employed in and check that sanitation and health of the people was alright.
Did you know that in 1853 the tax on soap was taken off, meaning poor people could buy it and become more hygienic by washing with it?
Did you know that many factory owners built houses for their workers near their factories? The houses were built close together really quickly and cheaply. These houses often had two rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs. They were not really big enough for the large families people tended to have during the Victorian time.
Did you know that in 1832 over 31,000 people died during an outbreak of cholera and lots more killed by smallpox, typhus and and dysentery? This happened due to crammed housing, poor living conditions and the amount of pollution on the streets. All of this equal the perfect breeding ground for diseases.
Did you know that the Public Health Act of 1875 banned open sewers, thanks to Joseph Bazalgette’s sewage system? Houses were made further apart, rubbish collection was introduced and public health inspectors had to be provided by the local council. They basically had to go round whatever town or city they were employed in and check that sanitation and health of the people was alright.
Did you know that in 1853 the tax on soap was taken off, meaning poor people could buy it and become more hygienic by washing with it?