Over the years the Rhondda valley has changed dramatically. It has changed from a small solitude hamlet nestled in the beauty of the surrounding valley, to a bruised fallen king of industry tossed onto the dieing heap of Britain's long since over industrial revolution.

There were many reasons for the coal industry to 'boom' in the Rhondda valley, amount these are, the thousands of square acres of steam coal rivalled by non which, G.T. Clarke of Dowlais remarked as "in the highest degree of purpose of manufacture, of commence and of war." This comment was made during a time when every thing was run by steam engines and so was very true. But although this was true at the time it was not true later on. As the development of the diesel engine came in and things were slowly modernised, the demand for s

There is another reason for the 'boom' of the coal industry in the Rhondda Valley. To truly appreciate this reason we first have to look at who it is, that is saying it and why they are saying it. The reason I am talking about is that of the findings of Henry de la Beche and Doctor Lyon Playfair, who said after "scientific test", said that South Wales coal unequivocally was the best fitted the needs of the navy. The reason I feel this comment cannot be taken as a literal as it seems is because, scientist acting on the behalf of the British Admiralty made this comment. And so they were bound to say that coal from south Wales fitted the Navy's needs the best. There are several reasons for the scientists to say this; one of the reasons for the scientists to say this was because, at the time the test were carried out the British navy was the best in the world. And so when the British navy did something the rest of the world took note of this and also did it. This would have made South Wales steam coal very desirable and in high demand from many of the worlds greatest navy's. This in turn would have brought more money into the country and so the country would, in turn the country would grow stronger and prosper from its new wealth. The other reason for the scientists to say this is because indeed Welsh coal was the best suited for the purposes of the navy. Never the less, What ever the reasons for the scientists to say that Welsh Steam coal was the best, coal in the Rhondda prospered during the years of 1951-1983. And with it brought thousands of new jobs and hope for many of the rural community's migrating from the countryside to find better work. But as always along with the good times came the bad.

"I merely mined for coal" he said, "for many a year"

The Rapid rise of Coal in the Rhondda lead to a rapid rise in the population as in stated in source A2 the population rose by 151,000 inhabitants, between the years of 1851-1911. Houses were built to house the rapidly arriving workers, but these houses were little more then a roof over there head. They were small cramped and there was in the beginning an average of 8.8 people per house. But if you look at what the people had come from (mud-huts, small wooden houses ETC.) the houses that they moved into were a marked improvement. Other problems the coal industry caused was the destruction of the once beautiful scenery that existed in the valley. The Trees that once covered the valley side were all cut down and used, the once rich rivers were polluted to the point nothing but bacteria could live in them. This not only ruined the view but it also created many sanitary problems for the people who now lived in the valley, as the river was there only source of water but it was black with the pollution from the coal mines. Despite all the sanitation problems and the cramped living conditions people continued to flock to the Rhondda Valley right

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1961
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)