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The New Social Classes Of Europe

Throughout history, most people were characterized into one of twogroups, nobles (the rich) or the peasants (poor working people).Nobles were usually rich people who owned land, were privately

educated, and held high-level positions in society. The peasantswere the uneducated group of people in Europe, who usually lacked aneducation, were of low-income, and were involved in the physicallabor occupations. As people moved from rural (country side) farmingvillages, the social class system of Europe experienced a majorshuffle (change).

As people migrated (moved) to the cities, new jobs became available.With many more jobs available that required different skills or variedlevels of education, it was impossible to categorize people into one oftwo groups. Thus, the new social class system of Europe was

formed. On the bottom was the working-class. The working-classwas usually comprised (made up of) of immigrants, people with verylittle income, very little education, and non-property owners. Membersof this social group were often laborers, who performed manual laboron farms and in the factories. Women in this group were usuallymaids for rich families, or completed all of the household chores.

The top class of Europe was changed from the nobles to the upper-class. These members were educated through private tutors, privateschools, and often went to college. Members of the upper-class wereland owners with a large sum of wealth.These people had their own businesses, heldgovernmental positions, were communityleaders, lawyers, entrepreneurs and doctors.Women of this group were educated, andthus were able thelp their husbandsconduct their business. Wives were also vitalin providing their children with an education.

Compared to the past when only two social class groups existed, athird group of people formed as a result of the industrial revolution.The New Middle-Class was a new term to describe people who were

in-between the status ofupper-class and working-class.New-Middle Class citizens had some form ofan education, had enough income to live comfortably,and held jobs that were higher than labor positions.Professions the New-Middle Class people held were

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professional positions such as teachers, shop owners, officeworkers, business workers, secretaries, librarians, or managers offactories. New Middle-Class families lived in well-furnished homes.They dressed and ate well. New Middle-Class men were oftenallowed to vote, and were influential in trying to gain workers rights

and health care. New Middle-Class women meanwhile wereencouraged to become ladies. They took up lady-like activities,such as drawing, doing household chores, cooking, sewing, or playingthe piano. Women were also allowed to have tutors, to provide themwith an education to gain jobs outside the home.

Part 1 Answer the following multiple-choice questions:

1) What was a result of the Industrial Revolution in Europe?

A) the growth of the middle class

B) an increase in nomadic herding

C) a decline in urban populationD) a decrease in international trade

Part 2 Task Answer the following questions in responses thatanswer the question. There is no sentence limit today. Write as muchas you need to in order to answer the question COMPLETELY.CHOOSE FIVE QUESTIONS to complete.

1) How did the social class system of Europe change from before toafter the Industrial Revolution?

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2) Which social class now exists during the time period of the IndustrialRevolution that did not exist before the Industrial Revolution?

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__________________________3) What are the three new social classes of Europe formed during theIndustrial Revolution? Compare each social class and give specificexamples.

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4) How was the role of women different in each social class? Give

specific examples.

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5) What social class do you belong in if we followed these socialclasses during the Industrial Revolution? Why do you think that? Givespecific examples, without getting too personal.

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6) Why did a new Middle-Class form during the Industrial Revolution?

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