The Industrialism in Manchester

1.       John Aikin presents a picture of economic and social change in Manchester. Examples of changes were the growth in business, the growth and expansion of industry. There was a growth in employment and trade. The increase in fortunes meant greater expense and demand for luxury items and modern brick houses. He presents that Manchester had become like one of the commercial capitals of Europe.

2.       According to Ashworth’s statement some of the cottages were neat and clean while others were grossly neglected. What might have Ure to this false impression is that the cottages that he saw, and described, the people living in them were more well off than the people living in the grossly neglected cottages.

3.       “urban expansion in industrial towns was rapid and uncontrolled”

·         Heaps of filth piling up and no previsions made to remove it

·         Buildings built so close together that the suns rays don’t hit the bottom

·         Too few public necessaries

·         No proper drainage from buildings

·         Houses being built right near factories discharging dangerous acids

·         Slaughter houses in the centre of towns with waste being left to rot in an ash pit

·         One storied huts with no proper floor. The kitchen, bedroom and living room were all in one

·         Homes were being described as cattle sheds being crammed in amongst houses, factories and a river.

·         Bad sanitation and water supply

·         Streets are narrow, ill-vented, unpaved or contain heaps of refuse or disease causing stagment pools

·         Absence of sewerage and fresh water

·         Filth in many different factories all very close to housing

·         ‘Towers close to this crazy labyrinth of buildings’ therefore no thought or planning going towards where anything is built.