Exam Question- What Was the Most Significant Consequence of the Development of the Railways?

Britain developed their railways in the 1940's as a cheap and efficient mode of transport. Below is how they impacted Britain socially, economically, and politically. This information can be used to answer the the question above.

Social Impacts

• Challenged stereotypes between cultures and classes- people from different regions could meet and travel together
• The concept of time became standardised for everyone so they could be as organised and efficient as possible
• Encouraged people to travel- people could experience different parts of Britain for day trips or short holidays; could meet family who lived far away, and could travel further for work than ever before for the first time
• National sport competitions became feasible
• Created a greater sense of unity between Britain 
• National newspapers could be delivered on time and all over Britain
• Increase in population meant an increase in demand
• Once they became successful, the 1844 Railway Act was introduced- made companies sell cheap tickets, allowing the working class to travel too (named 'Parliamentary Train') 

Political Impacts

• Started in chaos for Parliament- initial legislation was very unsuccessful- failed to mentioned to the limit of lines permitted to be built, or whether lines even need to be linked
• Political movements spread across Britain as members from organisations (e.g. Anti-Corn Law League) could travel to gain a greater support 
• The government could send soldiers to stop political unrest and control protests quickly
• MPs could travel faster between constituencies and to Parliament 
• Political parties' promotional media could be quickly delivered all over Britain
• Passed Gauge Act in 1846- kept lines 4 feet, 8.5 inches across the nation- kept uniform 

Economic Impacts

• Created hundreds of thousands of new jobs- needed people to build, run maintain etc
• Transporting heavy raw materials became cheaper- helped advance industrialisation which helped manufactures get a bigger profit
• Food could be transported faster so food (perishable foods especially) were fresher when consumed
• Fish became a major part of people's diets because of the rapid transportation- this opened the market for seafood
• Trade improved rapidly (became the most reliable mode of transport) which eventually lead to a boost in the economy

Important things to Remember About the Railways:

All classes benefited from the establishment of the railway-  farmers could transport foods everywhere; working class had new jobs and cheaper, fresher products; upper and middle classes could travel- whether for work or for recreational purposes; politicians could use them to promote themselves and travel to where they were needed quickly.  They went on to revolutionise Britain and advance Industrialisation there at an even faster rate. 
However, whilst it did have a range of benefits for every social class, that does not mean everyone was thrilled with them-

• Parliament was concerned the intense speed of them could be a health risk
• Farmers did not like the fact that railway tracks passed through their land as the smoke could ruin the crops and the trains scared the livestock, sometimes causing premature births or death
• The aristocracy believed they would interfere with their fox hunting 
• Some were uncomfortable with the fact that both men and women would be travelling in the same carriage- they viewed this as indecent
•  They were a massive threat to canal companies and eventually they stole their business 
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