Exam 28: Industry and the Working Class: a New Realism

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Industrialization had a profound impact on the English working-class people in the 18th and 19th centuries. Here are three ways in which it changed their lives:

1. Urbanization: Industrialization led to the growth of cities and towns as factories and industries were established. This resulted in a mass migration of rural workers to urban areas in search of employment. The working-class people had to adapt to living in crowded and unsanitary conditions in urban slums, which had a significant impact on their health and well-being.

2. Working conditions: The introduction of factories and mechanized production methods brought about significant changes in the nature of work for the working-class people. They were subjected to long hours of labor in harsh and dangerous conditions, with little job security and low wages. The rise of industrial capitalism also led to the exploitation of workers, as they were often forced to work for minimal pay in order to survive.

3. Social and economic changes: Industrialization brought about a shift in the social and economic structure of society. The working-class people found themselves at the bottom of the social hierarchy, with little opportunity for upward mobility. They were also faced with the loss of traditional skills and trades as they were replaced by machines and factory production. This led to a sense of alienation and disempowerment among the working-class people, as they struggled to adapt to the new industrial economy.

In conclusion, industrialization had a profound and often detrimental impact on the English working-class people, leading to significant changes in their living conditions, working environment, and social and economic status.