(AQA) GCSE History for Similarity between 19th century and medieval London

Gemini Generated.

Core Similarity of Medieval Town and 19th-Century London

Both struggled with the challenges of a rapidly growing urban population before modern infrastructure (like proper sewage) was developed.

Medieval Sanitation System

Lack of proper sewage; waste dumped into streets (open drains), rivers, or collected in overflowing cesspits.

19th-Century London Sanitation System

Inadequate sewerage system where raw sewage was dumped into the River Thames, which was also a source of drinking water.

Contaminated Water (Medieval)

Wells and rivers easily polluted by cesspits, leading to diseases like dysentery and typhoid.

Contaminated Water (19th-Century London)

Water companies drew from the polluted Thames, leading to devastating outbreaks of cholera in the 1830s and beyond.

Dominant Health Belief in Both Periods

Miasma Theory (belief that disease was caused by 'bad air' or bad smells), which delayed effective health reform.

Medieval Town Economic Role

Centres for local and regional trade, hosting regular markets and specialised crafts (gilds).

19th-Century London Economic Role

A massive global centre for international trade and finance, which still relied on local markets and small workshops.

Centre of Power (Medieval)

Housed the Royal Court and key institutions of government, making it the political centre.

Centre of Power (19th-Century London)

The seat of the Monarchy and Parliament, making it the unquestioned political capital of the British Empire.

Artisan Housing (Similarity)

In both periods, many craftsmen and artisans lived and worked in the same building, often with the workshop on the ground floor.

Built Environment (Medieval)

Cramped and congested with narrow and winding streets within the town walls.

Built Environment (19th-Century London)

Severely overcrowded older, central areas (tenements) where many families lived in a single room.

Source of Pollution and Stench (Both Periods)

Streets were filled with animal manure (from horses, a main form of transport), industrial waste, and sewage.

Specific 19th-Century London Air Pollution

Choked by coal smoke (smog) and the stench of the polluted Thames.

Social Division (Similarity)

A sharp contrast of wealth between the privileged elite (merchants, nobility) and the poor workers.

Wealth Contrast (19th-Century London)

The elegant West End was structurally separate and contrasted sharply with the squalor of the East End slums.

Key Problem of Urban Growth (Both Periods)

Overcrowding and rapid population growth occurred faster than the development of modern infrastructure.

Specific Disease linked to Medieval Contaminated Water

Dysentery and Typhoid.

Specific Disease linked to 19th-Century Cholera Outbreaks

Contaminated water drawn from the polluted Thames by water companies.

What are Cesspits (Medieval)

Pits used to collect sewage and human waste, which often overflowed and leaked into water sources.

The River Thames (19th Century)

The primary dumping ground for sewage, which became overwhelmed and polluted the city's water supply.

Medieval Trade Structure

Focused on local and regional trade, supported by merchant gilds and regular markets.

Early 19th-Century London Trade Structure

Dominated by international trade and finance, cementing London as a global centre.

Political Power (Similarity)

Both periods saw London function as the unquestioned political capital, housing the Monarchy, Parliament (19th Century), and the Royal Court (Medieval).

Medieval Street Description

Streets were often narrow and winding, contributing to congestion and restricting light/air.

19th-Century Slum Housing

Older areas were severely overcrowded with buildings often divided into tenements (one family per room).

Air Pollution Source (19th-Century London)

Coal smoke (smog) from factories and homes.

Street Filth (Similarity)

Both experienced streets filled with sewage, industrial waste, and high volumes of animal manure from horse-drawn transport.

Focus for P1 in 8-Mark Answer

Inadequate Sanitation (Medieval cesspits vs. 19th-century sewer dumping in the Thames).

Focus for P2 in 8-Mark Answer

Centres of Trade (Medieval regional trade vs. 19th-century global trade, but both relying on local workshops).

Focus for P3 in 8-Mark Answer

Clear Social Division (Contrast between elite wealth and worker poverty, reflected in segregated housing).

Surgeons operated in…

Normal clothes

What flagship hippocratic theory did some people believe in..

4 Humours

What flagship greek theory that RFK Jr still believes in did some people still believe in?

Miasma

What type “medicine” that was sold in marketplaces did some people still buy?

Quacks

What home “medicine” did some people still believe worked?

Home remedies e.g. honey, dropwort and comfrey.

Housing is still..

close together

The sanitation is

poor

What 4 humours treatment is still practiced?

Bloodletting

What roman doctor did some still believe in?

Galen