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The Bridgewater Canal opens
First man made canal -
Roughly 10 million tons of coal had been mined
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Cotton becomes Britain’s biggest export, overtaking wool.
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The first large-scale Luddite riot took place in Arnold, Nottingham resulting in the destruction of machinery.
The Luddites were a secret oath-based organization of English textile workers in the 19th century, a radical faction which destroyed textile machinery as a form of protest. -
Frame-Breaking Act
In response to the riots, Parliament passed a law making the destruction of industrial machines punishable by death. -
The impact of industrialisation and creation of cities leads to a cholera epidemic across towns in Britain.
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Rural to urban migration results in over half the population of Britain now residing in towns.
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The British shipbuilding company Palmer Brothers & Co opens in Jarrow. The same year, the first iron screw collier, the John Bowes is launched.
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London’s First Drinking Fountain
The first fountain was built in 1859 to great fanfare, and at its peak was being used by around 7000 people a day. -
The first iron warship, HMS Warrior is launched.
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Extension of the Factory Act
The Factory Act is extended to include all workplaces employing more than fifty workers. -
The TUC (Trade Unions Congress) is formed
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The Chimney Sweepers Act
New law prohibited boys from climbing chimneys to clean them. -
The industry of Great Britain reaches its peak
The textile industry producing around 8 billion yards of cloth. -
World War I
Changes to the industrial market shifting toward war supplies, and foreign markets setting up their own manufacturing industries, the golden age of British industry has come to an end.
