The Working Class in Glasgow

1750-1914

R. A. Cage, R. A. Cage

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781000441697
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Scottish History
• Index: History

Originally published in 1987, this book examines how much industrialisation improved the standard of living of the British worker, based on the experience of one representative city: Glasgow. It analyses whether there was an increase in skilled as opposed to unskilled labour in major industrial centres – as for example in Glasgow, manufacturing shifted from textiles to engineering. Other important issues such as the rate of housing construction, public health, local politics and leisure pursuits are also considered. Glasgow has a long history of working-class culture and is therefore a particularly interesting city to study.

Chapter One

POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS

R. A. Cage

I: The Development of Glasgow, a General Outline

Glasgow was a working-class city. The Industrial Revolution did not alter this reality. In 1841 nearly 94 per cent of the individuals enumerated in the occupational census were classified as working class; by 1901 the corresponding figure was reduced slightly, to 91 per cent. During this period, however, Glasgow underwent a major metamorphosis, reflecting a period of rapid industrialisation, one causing dramatic structural changes within the economy.

Numerous excellent histories of Glasgow have been written. From these, and especially those by Andrew Gibb,¹ W. Forsyth² (especially useful for spatial distribution of firms and industries) and S.G. Checkland³, it is possible to describe the course of the economic, social and geographical development of Glasgow. In fact, for the urban historian, Glasgow provides an excellent case study of rapid growth, a plateau of prosperity and reform, and then decline. During its heyday Glasgow was a familiar name in every corner of the world. Clyde-built engines drove the world’s machinery; Clyde-built steamers commanded the seas; the machinery-engineering industries of Glasgow were the centre piece of the industrial showcase.

In general terms the story is well-known. The sleepy little cathedral and university town on the River Clyde came alive with the expansion of tobacco production in colonial America. By 1750 over half of the British tobacco trade was controlled by Glasgow merchants. They accomplished this by establishing a series of internal warehouses and stores in the tobacco-growing areas, thus stream-lining the production and distribution process. Moreover, the Clyde ports were located considerably closer to Virginia than were the English ports. This geographical advantage combined with new commercial techniques allowed the Glasgow merchants to control the market. The result was the accumulation of massive fortunes. A portion of their new-found wealth was used for conspicuous consumption—building their mansion houses and creating the first major expansion of the medieval city. The remaining wealth was ploughed back into investment opportunities. It was these tobacco lords who quickly recognised the significance of mechanisation within the cotton textile industry. They were able to utilise both their wealth and established networks in the Americas to...