Analysis of Chapter 1, "Society and Economic Life" (Martin Daunton) from the "Short Oxford History of the British Isles - The Nineteenth Century", Edited by Colin Matthew

I will be analysing the written work of Martin Daunton and will highlight the changes that happened in Britain between the years 1800-1900.The century can be divided equally from 1800-1850 as a transitional time and a time of uncertainty about the economy and 1851-1900 as a stable economy takes hold and new levels of prosperity are experienced. I will finish with a conclusion on the effects of these events on the country.
Martin Daunton tells us of a country that within the Victorian period was in the process of great change, of new farming practices and labour methods, that on the surface seemed to be driving forward a new thriving economy, was, with it success, causing other problems in the economy and livelihood of the people, such as the demands on the farming industry to produce more food for the growing population. This was a time of great pride and joy in Great Britain evident with the Great Exhibition 1851 and its marvelling at the industrial achievements and might over other nations at this time. It was also a time of great hardship for a lot of people in the fast emerging large towns and cities which grew at an ever increasing rate throughout this period in the biggest demographic swing ever seen, shown by the 1851 census, as people had moved from a rural to an urban environment. …