How Did The Industrial Revolution Affect The English Working Class

The Industrial Revolution started in Britain in the 18th century. The many different social classes in Britain were affected by it especially the English working class. They experienced changes in how they worked and lived, poorer health and safety, and lower wages. However, eventually, there were improvements. The Industrial Revolution had a negative effect on the English working class at first, but then it gradually improved their lives. The English working class experienced dramatic changes in how they worked because of the Industrial Revolution. It started when the enclosure movement made them leave their farms and move into towns and cities. “The consolidation of farmlands as a result of the enclosure movement, in which wealthy

Working in factories worsened the health of the English working class. “The nature of work in factories—long hours (sixteen-hour work-days were not uncommon), monotonous labor, widespread employment of children—worsened issues of health” (Social and Political). The children of the working class were especially vulnerable. Children’s lives were impacted so much that it even disturbed the middle and upper classes. “The sight of thin, poorly clothed children trudging to and from work in a mill or mine disturbed many a bourgeois” (Labor). Children from English working class families had very little food to eat and to live on from day to day. This resulted in children being very thin and malnourished. Since working families used most of their money to buy food, there was barely any left to buy good or warm clothing for their children. In addition, another problem caused by the Industrial Revolution was overcrowding in cities which increased crime. “Industrialization drew thousands of people to the urban areas in search of employment. Cities such as Manchester, England, were completely unprepared for the great influx of workers. This overcrowding fueled social dysfunction that resulted in a rapid increase in crimes against property and people” (The Social Impact). This increase in crime made the lives of the English working class very unsafe. The Industrial Revolution deteriorated the health and safety of the English working