An industrial revolution is when a country changes from an agricultural country to a mainly
industrial one.
Health and housing
Problems with housing? There were tenement houses in Scotland which meant lack of privacy
and ventilation - lack of furniture and bad smells, overcrowding and being crammed, lack
of gardens, living rooms and kitchens etc not available there were only individual rooms,
no running water or hot water, only shared toilets
Health Acts?
The Nuisance Removal Act of 1855 gave the police the powers to clean and close properties
that were a threat to the health of the public.
The Public Health act 1875 gave town councils the ability to provide water supplies and
sewers.
The Artisans and Dwellings act allowed councils to demolish old slum houses.
Explain reasons why housing improved in Britain by 1914?
One reason housing improved in Britain by 1914 is because of the public health act 1875
because it improved sewers and provided clean water which prevented diseases from
spreading like Cholera. Another reason is because land was bought up by the government
and councils which was important because old slums could be cleared away and new
houses built. Another reason is because laws such as the Nuisance Removal Act of 1856
was passed and this helped because the police could shut down dirty and overcrowded
properties which meant there would be better health. Another reason is because the
Artisans and dwellings act allowed councils to demolish old slum houses which
increased the quality of health.
Sanitation means the removal of dirty water.
Joseph Bazalgette- He made plans to address the pollution and sewage issues in London (he
sent waste into sea)
Edwick Chadwick- He concluded there was a link between poor living conditions and health in
his report but made cholera worse.
John Snow- Criticised miasma (disease was caused by bad smells) and said dirty water caused
cholera.
Improvements made to health
1. Edward Jenner’s development of the small pox vaccine which reduced the impact of the
disease
2. British government making vaccination against smallpox compulsory in Britain
3. There was a large hospital building programme in the late 1800’s