When the Industrial Revolution began in England in the second half of the eighteenth century, Manchester witnessed a shift from the traditional economic system that was based on farming, to a reliance on specialized labor, manufacturing, and factories. The changes that resulted from the beginnings of the industrial age were profound and caused a series of issues to be raised in support and condemnation of the new capital- intensive economy. The reactions to these concerns throughout the course of the nineteenth century differed dramatically. .
Due to the excessive and rapid industrialization of Manchester, the site soon became a great urban commercial center and an area of production. Urbanization quickly ensued once the Industrial Revolution took root, significantly increasing both the population and size of Manchester. The area prior to the revolution was a relatively small community with some sources of industry and development. However, by 1850, the size of the city had increased significantly and become one of the largest and most notable manufacturing locations. According to the maps illustrated in Document One, the size of the city grew what appears to be nearly four times its original size. Though in1750, the site had no canals or railroads within its boundaries, by 1850 there were dozens of transportation routes, in order to move goods quickly throughout Britain. The map displays how developed Manchester became after the Industrial Revolution. The area of the city is much larger and there are many more sites of production than in 1750. The population had swelled, as well. People were traveling from rural towns into Manchester seeking work in the new factories. (Document 1) .
There were many different arguments revolving around the question of whether the Industrial Revolution truly helped or hindered the working classes. While some protested that the conditions were unbearable, others believed that the development of industry in Manchester provided the funds necessary for the masses to support themselves.
