Urbanization was a key factor in the big changes that happened during the Industrial Revolution in Britain from 1760 to 1840. During this time, the country shifted from mostly rural areas to more cities, changing how people lived and worked.

Rise of Urban Centers

• In 1801, about 20% of people in Britain lived in towns and cities.
• By 1851, this number jumped to over 50%. For the first time, more people lived in cities than in the countryside.
• Cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham grew very quickly. For example, Manchester's population went from around 75,000 in 1801 to over 300,000 by 1851.

Migration Patterns

Urbanization happened because many people moved from the countryside to cities. They were looking for better job opportunities. This led to some changes:

• Fewer people lived in rural areas: Between 1821 and 1841, the rural population dropped by 10% in some regions.
• More workers came to industrial cities. For example, in Manchester, over 100,000 people worked in textile mills by 1850.

Changes in Labor and Employment

• Moving to cities meant many people switched from farming to factory jobs. By the 1830s, more than 40% of workers were in manufacturing.
• Factory jobs often had long hours, sometimes up to 16 hours a day, and poor working conditions, which made many workers unhappy.

Social Class Structure

Urbanization also changed the way society was organized:

• A new working class emerged: By the 1840s, factory workers formed a group known as the 'proletariat,' sharing similar interests and challenges.
• The middle class grew as well: Industrialization brought about factory owners and merchants, changing the traditional social order.

Living Conditions

Life in the city was often tough, leading to calls for change:

• Overcrowding was common: In places like London, many families lived in tiny, single-room homes. By 1840, about 40% of the population stayed in one-room apartments.
• Health problems arose: Quick urban growth led to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and typhus, which affected many city residents. For instance, a cholera outbreak in 1848-1849 caused around 14,000 deaths in London alone.

Conclusion

To sum it up, urbanization during the Industrial Revolution changed British society in significant ways. It helped create new social classes, changed labor practices, and impacted living conditions. This time of rapid city growth not only boosted the economy but also set the stage for future social changes and the development of modern society.