Brief description
This is a foundation course in British economic and social history. It gives the basic outlines of economic and social change during the period of rapid and sustained industrialization. The main themes include: general characteristics of economy and society on the eve of industrialization; change in the agricultural sector; the emergence and location of manufacturing industry; population growth and migration; the role of labour: supply and demand; technological advance and its implications; laissez-faire and free trade; transport and the appearance of the railways; urbanization and its social consequences; society and popular culture; the move from cottage work to factory employment; the emergence of the working class.