1900-1909

London began the 20th century as the capital of the world’s largest Empire and Britain's dominant city. One third of the entire trade of Great Britain  passed through London's docks.

Royal occasions such as the coronation of King Edward VII emphasised London's role as the national capital. But London was also a forcing house for change.  The decade saw rising political unrest in the capital as women and working men stepped up their demands to be given the vote. London’s local government began a new era as 28 new metropolitan boroughs took over the management of districts in inner London.

London's population, 1901

Greater London:  6,506,889  people 
Inner London:  4,536,267 people

London's economy and jobs

London was Britain’s largest industrial centre. Roughly five million Londoners had jobs in 1900, 40%  of which  were in manufacturing or heavy industry.  Inner-city districts, such as Clerkenwell and Soho, were riddled with small workshops. Large factories tended to be located on the river to the east of the City. Woolwich Arsenal and Beckton Gasworks were among the largest plants of their type in Europe.

London’s largest single source of jobs was the massive docks complex. The workforce was made up of over 20,000 men, plus many more taken on daily as casual labourers. In 1909 the private companies that ran the Docks were brought together in a new public trust, the Port of London Authority. Around a third of London’s workforce were women, a higher proportion than nationally, but including  over 200,000 women in domestic service.

London events

1900 London's new metropolitan boroughs created
1901 smallpox epidemic kills over 2,000 Londoners
1902 funeral of Queen Victoria. Coronation of Edward VII
1908 Olympic Games at White City
London buildings

1900 new building for the Royal Courts of Justice, 'the Old Bailey' <>1901 new building for Harrods department store in Knightsbridge
1908 Selfridges in Oxford Street, the first American-style department store
London travel

1901 first electric tram runs
1904 first motor bus runs (from Peckham to Oxford Circus)
1906 Piccadilly Line opens
1906 Vauxhall Bridge opens