Statistics
Population
Before the Industrial Revolution, England and Wales had just over 6 million people. By the end of the Industrial Revolution, England had over 25 million people. This was due to various reasons. Some reasons are because soapbecame cheaper, therefore more people could wash germs and bacteria away before infection grew, and cotton was being used more widely which meant that garments were easier to wash.
One of the main reasons for the population growth was that once children were allowed to work in factories, more people started having children so they would have more income into their household and with more money came more food.
One of the main reasons for the population growth was that once children were allowed to work in factories, more people started having children so they would have more income into their household and with more money came more food.
Cotton Export
With the ever growing population of Britain, cotton was in high demand and with cheap labour and coal and steam powered factories, there was a huge market for cotton. Young children were employed to crawl under the machines and collect loose pieces of cotton and tie up loose ends while the machines were still running.
Anyone who stopped a machine was punished regardless of the reason. This meant that 'piecers' had to duck under the machine, tie up the thread and duck back out in seconds as the machine was quickly started again to avoid penalisation.
As shown, India and Britain were heavily involved in the export of cotton, as it was traded.
Anyone who stopped a machine was punished regardless of the reason. This meant that 'piecers' had to duck under the machine, tie up the thread and duck back out in seconds as the machine was quickly started again to avoid penalisation.
As shown, India and Britain were heavily involved in the export of cotton, as it was traded.
A brief summary of living during the Industrial Revolution
Produce and Coal
Because of the amount of resources and people in England, it quickly became the "workshop of the world" with coal, iron, cotton and wool being shipped out to other countries in exchange for tea and other cultural foods.
This map shows the main sites for cotton, wool, coalfields and ironworks.
This map shows the main sites for cotton, wool, coalfields and ironworks.