Self-Help

Rapid industrialization at the end of the eighteenth century had a profound effect on England. Cities grew larger, but the municipal authorities, unprepared for such rapid growth, were unable to meet the needs of the growing city and influx of urban dwellers. Early industrial cities were filthy places covered with soot and excrement, shoddy buildings were built haphazardly and in close proximity to one another, and entire families crammed into single room apartments. Disease spread. Fire er...