‘The streets, houses, and market-place here broad, cleanly, and elegant.’ With
these words a German traveller described Nottingham in the early 1780s. In contrast to
this another contemporary stated only a decade later that,
the streets are in general covered of the blackest kind, which sable hue is
principally contracted from the dust of coal carts; and on a rainy day the heads of
the passengers are saluted with streams of water from long projecting spouts
issuing from the tops of the houses. The lighting and paving are articles which
also require much improvement.
It is obvious that during this time Nottingham experienced a considerable physical
change, which transformed the elegant Georgian town of 1750 into a dirty and filthy
industrial slum by 1830. During that period Nottingham had considerable problems with
its population and its housing situation and could only helplessly watch its own decline.
Especially, after the refuse of the corporation to enclose the open spaces in 1787,
Nottingham had no real ways to escape its disastrous situation.
This essay will focus on the transformation of Nottingham during the period from
1750 to 1830 when the town had first the standing of a garden town and then the
reputation of one of the worst slum areas in the country. In particular, it will focus on
the population and the housing situation during that period. In addition to that, accounts
of contemporaries who lived in or visited Nottingham will be mentioned to illustrate the
change within the town of Nottingham.
This essay will firstly examine the conditions and circumstances of the population
and the housing situation in Nottingham when it was a garden town so from about 1750
to 1790/1800. Then in the third chapter Nottingham’s population growth and its changed
housing situation will be discussed during Nottingham’s time as an industrial slum so
from 1800 to 1830. In conclusion, the last chapter shall analyse the conditions of the
years after 1830. It will attempt to understand why, within eighty years from about 1750 to 1830,
Nottingham changed its physical appearance so dramatically and which reasons
contributed to this transformation from a picturesque garden town to an filthy industrial
slum. Furthermore, it should make clear the conditions of the population, especially the
working-classes who lived in the centre of Nottingham which became the slum area. It
should make also clear that the people [...]
Table of Contents
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. NOTTINGHAM AS A GARDEN TOWN
- 2.1 Population
- 2.2 Housing situation
- 3. NOTTINGHAM AS AN INDUSTRIAL SLUM
- 3.1 Population
- 3.2 Housing situation
- 4. NOTTINGHAM'S CONDITIONS AFTER 1830
- 5. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze the dramatic transformation of Nottingham between 1750 and 1830, charting its shift from a picturesque garden town to a squalid industrial slum. The study will focus on the factors contributing to this change, primarily examining population growth and the evolving housing situation. Accounts from contemporary sources will be used to illustrate the town's changing character.
- Transformation of Nottingham's physical appearance from 1750 to 1830.
- Population growth and its impact on Nottingham's development.
- Evolution of Nottingham's housing situation and its implications for different social classes.
- The role of the corporation's decisions (e.g., refusal to enclose open spaces) in shaping Nottingham's fate.
- Contrasting perspectives on Nottingham from contemporary accounts.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by contrasting two contemporary accounts of Nottingham—one depicting it as an elegant Georgian town in the early 1780s, and another a decade later describing its decline into a dirty industrial slum. This stark contrast highlights the dramatic physical transformation Nottingham underwent between 1750 and 1830, which is the central focus of the essay. The chapter introduces the essay's main objectives: to analyze the population and housing situations during this period, drawing upon contemporary accounts to illustrate the changes. The essay outlines its structure, promising to examine Nottingham's conditions as a garden town (circa 1750-1790/1800), its transformation into an industrial slum (1800-1830), and finally, the conditions after 1830.
2. Nottingham as a garden town: This chapter portrays Nottingham in its earlier state, focusing on its population and housing. Before 1830, Nottingham was a typical English country town with a moderate population, ample green spaces, and a charming market place featuring notable buildings like the malt cross. The chapter cites positive descriptions from various sources, including Robert Sanders's account in 1772, highlighting the town's cleanliness, well-paved streets, fine houses, and delightful prospects. A German traveler's observation in 1782 reinforces the perception of Nottingham as a lovely and neat town. The chapter also notes the social differentiation within Nottingham, with wealthier citizens residing in the town center and poorer citizens living on the periphery. The chapter lays the groundwork for the later contrast with the industrial slum period, establishing the initial picturesque and harmonious character of the town.
Keywords
Nottingham, urban transformation, industrialization, population growth, housing, social change, garden city, industrial slum, contemporary accounts, Georgian town, 18th century, 19th century.
Nottingham's Transformation: 1750-1830 - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic of this essay?
The essay analyzes the dramatic transformation of Nottingham between 1750 and 1830, tracing its shift from a picturesque garden town to a squalid industrial slum. It focuses on the factors contributing to this change, primarily population growth and the evolving housing situation, using contemporary accounts to illustrate the town's changing character.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores the transformation of Nottingham's physical appearance, the impact of population growth on its development, the evolution of its housing situation across different social classes, the role of the corporation's decisions (like refusing to enclose open spaces), and contrasting perspectives on Nottingham from contemporary accounts.
What is the essay's structure?
The essay is structured into five chapters: an introduction, a chapter on Nottingham as a garden town, a chapter on Nottingham as an industrial slum, a chapter on Nottingham's conditions after 1830, and a conclusion. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, providing a chronological account of Nottingham's transformation.
What sources are used in the essay?
The essay utilizes contemporary accounts from various sources to illustrate Nottingham's changing character. Specific examples include Robert Sanders's account from 1772 and observations from a German traveler in 1782, which are used to depict Nottingham's early state as a garden town.
How does the essay portray Nottingham as a garden town?
The essay portrays Nottingham before 1830 as a typical English country town with a moderate population, ample green spaces, a charming market place, and notable buildings. Contemporary accounts describe it as clean, with well-paved streets, fine houses, and delightful prospects, showcasing a harmonious and picturesque environment. Social differentiation is also noted, with wealthier citizens living in the town center and poorer citizens on the periphery.
How does the essay portray Nottingham as an industrial slum?
The essay contrasts the initial idyllic portrayal with the later decline into a dirty industrial slum. While specifics of this transformation are detailed in later chapters, the introduction highlights the stark contrast between early descriptions of Nottingham as elegant and later accounts highlighting its decline into squalor.
What aspects of population and housing are examined?
The essay examines population growth and its impact on Nottingham's development, as well as the evolution of its housing situation and its implications for different social classes. This analysis is central to understanding the town's transformation.
What is the significance of the corporation's decisions?
The essay explores the role of the corporation's decisions, particularly the refusal to enclose open spaces, in shaping Nottingham's fate and contributing to the changes observed throughout the period.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include Nottingham, urban transformation, industrialization, population growth, housing, social change, garden city, industrial slum, contemporary accounts, Georgian town, 18th century, and 19th century.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay (as previewed)?
The essay aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Nottingham's dramatic shift from a garden town to an industrial slum, using contemporary sources to illustrate the process and highlighting the impact of population growth and housing changes.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anne Sophie Günzel (Autor:in), 2004, Nottingham: From garden town to industrial slum (1750-1830), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/23540
