History: Trade, Empire and Migration in Nineteenth Century Britain

Rural poverty, lack of jobs and the enclosures of land were incentives for migration to the new industrial towns of Britain. Urbanisation was progressing rapidly – for the first time, by 1850, more people lived in cities than in the countryside. By 1900 the figure had risen to over 75% living in cities .

Trade and the movement of goods required the expansion of Britain’s docks, canals, ports and transport systems, creating more employment opportunities. Trade produced enormous benefits but also tragic consequences - wars with China and America and colonial conflicts from India to South Africa. The history of the trade in tea, sugar, gold, opium and cotton had a very dark side

Amongst other subjects covered on the course will be emigration to America and Australia; the colonisation of Africa; the Lancashire cotton industry’s connections with the American South; India and the role of the East India Company; and Britain’s urban communities of Irish, Jewish, Italian and German immigrants in the nineteenth century.

Classes are interactive with plenty of discussion and take place in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Reading and research beyond the class room are encouraged and can be shared via the Canvas programme. A small amount of written response to class subject matter is also encouraged .