Britain experienced many big changes between 1750 and 1900, most of which have helped shaped the way we live today and have improved our standard of living considerably. In this essay I will discuss the changes in transport, politics, work, population, health and culture, in order to conclude which made the biggest impact on the way people live today and which I believe to be the most important change.
A big change was the matter of health and medicine. The cause of disease was not properly understood, so there were few cures that worked. No one knew about germs or how infection was spread. By 1825 a vaccination was made for smallpox but still no other diseases could be cured. Great advances had been made in health and medicine by 1900. A man called Louis Pasteur had discovered the link between germs and disease.
As a result of the improvements in health and medicine, the population increased dramatically. In 1750, the population was around 11 million, many babies died before their first birthday. The annual death rate was 28 deaths per 1000 people. By 1825, the population had risen to 21 million, and the new annual death rate was 22 deaths per 1000 people. The population rose at a rapid rate after 1825 and in 1900 the population was 40 million with a death rate of 18 deaths per 1000 people.
In 1750, the most important industry was farming; so many people were needed to work on the land. Most people were involved in farming, either for themselves, a landowner or a farmer. Manufacturing industries were small and goods were produced in peoples own homes or in small workshops. By 1900 farming had changed. They had new machines, which meant they needed fewer workers on the fields, so people moved from the countryside to work in towns instead. They were employed in manufacturing industries which operated large factories using heavy steam powered machinery.
Steam power was also important in another major change affecting transport. Roads were very poor in...