Account for the Distress in Merthyr at the Beginning of the 19th Century and Discuss the Significance of the Merthyr Rising

Merthyr in the beginning of the 19th century was becoming the first largest Industrial town in Wales, however with the rapid growth of this town many problems arose to cause distress to the people. The farmers were no longer able to make a living from the land due to enclosures, poor harvests and other restrictions. Merthyr was rapidly increasing in population but with this came poor working and living conditions. The discontent of the people was a combination of many things, which will be accounted for in the essay. The significance of the Merthyr Rising has been greatly argued by many Historians and I will be discussing the view of Gwyn Williams Williams.…