The Industrial Revolution started in the late 1700s and lasted into the 1800s. It changed the way society was organized in Europe and North America forever. Instead of farming, people moved to work in factories, leading to big changes in social classes.

New Social Classes Appear

1. Growth of the Middle Class:

   • The Industrial Revolution created a new middle class, called the bourgeoisie. This group included people who owned factories, shops, and businesses.
   • By 1850, around 10-15% of people in industrial nations were part of this middle class, and they held a lot of wealth.

2. Rise of the Working Class (Proletariat):

   • At the same time, a large working class formed. This group included factory workers, miners, and laborers.
   • By 1900, about 60% of England's population was in the working class. They often worked long hours, sometimes 12-16 hours a day, for low pay, usually between $1.50 and$5.00 a week.

Changes in Class Dynamics

• More Opportunities for Everyone:

  • The Industrial Revolution made it possible for some people to move up the social ladder. Lower-class individuals could improve their lives by getting a better job or education.
  • However, only about 20% of kids from working-class families went to school by 1850, making it hard for many to improve their situation.

• Class Conflicts:

  • The huge difference between the rich middle class and the struggling working class led to more awareness of class issues.
  • Workers began to fight for their rights, leading to strikes and labor movements. For example, in 1842, around 1 million workers in England participated in a General Strike, asking for better working conditions.

Changes in Living Conditions

1. More People Moved to Cities:

   • The Industrial Revolution caused many people to leave farms and move to cities. Between 1800 and 1850, the number of city-dwellers in England grew from 20% to 50%.
   • This rapid urbanization often led to crowded cities with poor housing and healthcare. For example, a cholera outbreak in London in 1854 showed how bad living conditions could get.

2. Women and Children at Work:

   • In the working class, many women and children found jobs in factories. By the late 1800s, about 40% of people working in textile factories were women, and child labor was common, with about 1 in 5 kids working in factories.

Social Movements and Changes

• The tough lives of workers led to social movements pushing for better working conditions.
• The Factory Acts in Britain, starting in 1833, aimed to improve working conditions by limiting hours for women and children.
• Trade unions also began to form in the late 1800s, with more than 1 million members in the UK by 1890. These unions worked together to improve workers' rights.

Conclusion

The Industrial Revolution changed social classes in major ways, leading to a new middle class and a larger working class. It changed the chances people had to improve their lives, caused conflicts between classes, and led to many people moving to cities. The struggles during this time set the stage for future movements that would continue to push for social rights and fairness well into the 20th century.