Before Cardiff overtook Merthyr in 1871, which town held the status of the biggest town?

Before Cardiff overtook Merthyr in 1871, which town held the status of the biggest town?

• A. Swansea
• B. Newport
• C. Merthyr
• D. Caerphilly

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how industrial growth changed which town was the largest. Merthyr Tydfil grew rapidly in the early to mid-1800s because of its ironworks, drawing in large numbers of workers and swelling its population. For a time it stood as Wales’s biggest town by population, even as Cardiff was developing as a major port. Then Cardiff’s coal trade, docks, and railway links accelerated its growth, and by 1871 Cardiff had overtaken Merthyr. So, before that shift in 1871, Merthyr Tydfil held the top spot as the biggest town.

The key idea is how industrial growth changed which town was the largest. Merthyr Tydfil grew rapidly in the early to mid-1800s because of its ironworks, drawing in large numbers of workers and swelling its population. For a time it stood as Wales’s biggest town by population, even as Cardiff was developing as a major port. Then Cardiff’s coal trade, docks, and railway links accelerated its growth, and by 1871 Cardiff had overtaken Merthyr. So, before that shift in 1871, Merthyr Tydfil held the top spot as the biggest town.