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Life and reform in industrial towns
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Industrial towns grew so fast that housing, water and sewers could not keep up. Over time, the government stepped in.
Working conditions
Factory hours were long, often 12 hours or more a day. Machines were dangerous and children worked too.
The Factory Act of 1833 banned children under 9 from working in textile factories and appointed inspectors to check.
The Mines Act of 1842 stopped women and girls, and boys under 10, working underground.
The Factory Act of 1833 banned children under 9 from working in textile factories and appointed inspectors to check.
The Mines Act of 1842 stopped women and girls, and boys under 10, working underground.
Public health
Workers lived in crowded back-to-back houses, with shared toilets and dirty water.
Cholera epidemics struck in 1832, 1848 and 1854.
Edwin Chadwick's report (1842) showed that poor living conditions shortened lives.
In 1854 John Snow showed that cholera spread through dirty water from the Broad Street pump in London.
Cholera epidemics struck in 1832, 1848 and 1854.
Edwin Chadwick's report (1842) showed that poor living conditions shortened lives.
In 1854 John Snow showed that cholera spread through dirty water from the Broad Street pump in London.
Reform
The Great Stink of 1858, when the Thames smelled terribly in hot weather, pushed Parliament to act. Joseph Bazalgette built a huge new sewer system for London.
The Public Health Act of 1875 made local councils provide clean water, sewers and drains.
Reformers believed the government had a duty to protect people's health and safety.
The Public Health Act of 1875 made local councils provide clean water, sewers and drains.
Reformers believed the government had a duty to protect people's health and safety.
Explain why governments began to improve public health in the 1800s.
- Cholera epidemics killed thousands and frightened rich and poor alike.
- Evidence from Chadwick and John Snow linked disease to dirty conditions and water.
- Events like the Great Stink of 1858 affected MPs themselves.
Answer: Deadly epidemics, new evidence and problems MPs could see (and smell) pushed them to act.
Factory Act 1833 (no children under 9 in textile factories; inspectors). Mines Act 1842. Cholera 1832, 1848, 1854. Chadwick report 1842; John Snow's Broad Street pump 1854. Great Stink 1858; Bazalgette's sewers; Public Health Act 1875.
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