Effects of the Industrial Revolution Urbanization & Public Health

Urbanization Definition: The process by which cities grow and become larger as more and more people begin living and working in central areas

Urbanization would become one of the defining and most lasting features of the Industrial Revolution. In fact, it is because of urbanization that we have our major cities around the world in today’s society.

In England, by 1850, over 60% of the population lived in either large towns or cities. Not only did urbanization became a major component of the Industrial Revolution, but also the spike in population.

Reasons for Population Increase The spike in population growth was caused primarily by the improvements in the Agricultural Revolution. Historians also believe the population increased due to a drop in famine, as well as a drop in illness and warfare. Because of the increase in food production.

Reasons for Urbanization In terms of the reasons for urbanization: Workers were looking for waged labour in the newly developed factories which were centred in large towns and cities. Where there is work, people will follow. Modern Day Examples?

Why do people move to urbanized places such as Dhaka? http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/Industrial Revolution/videourbanization.html Why do people move to urbanized places such as Dhaka? Still offers the best chance for a better life. Provides a better opportunity

Issues with Urbanization? Growth of cities and these large towns eventually led to horrible and unsanitary living conditions. Overcrowding – poor health conditions, lack of water supply/unsanitary water supply, expenses in traffic and electricity for governments, little to no government involvement in slums.

Public Health & Life Expectancy

By the first half of the 19th Century, urbanization consequently caused overcrowding, poor diets, and poor sanitation. Joined with the lack of medical knowledge, it all contributed to very poor public health.

Housing for working class citizens were poorly constructed which contributed to the spread of disease. Roads were muddy and lacked sidewalks. Houses were built touching each other, leaving no room for ventilation. Homes lacked toilets and sewage systems – results in insanitary drinking water. Overcrowded homes – 5-9 people to a room.

These conditions caused diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis, typhus, typhoid and influenza. With the lack of medical knowledge, people often worsened if they sought out medical help. 50% of people who contracted cholera died often within the first 24 hours.

Life Expectancy Average life expectancy in rural areas (countryside) was the age of 50. Urban cities were far less: London had a life expectancy of 37 years and 26 years in Liverpool. Children in urban settings had anywhere from 25-33% dying before their 5th birthday. 10 students would be died within this classroom.

A Gradual Change It was not until 1854, where health boards were established to create better standards of sanitation. Government officials were forced to clean up the towns and cities. It was not until cholera had killed over 70,000 people that the government would do anything. At this point, it was not about ideology, but rather the epidemic at hand.

Writing Section: What are the benefits of urbanization? In what ways has urbanization helped industry grow? (3-4 points) What are the downfalls of urbanization? (2-3 points) Create a theory and explain why little was done for health precautions from the government and factory owners in the first 90 years of the Industrial Revolution. Hint: Keep in mind the idea of the laissez-faire system.