Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution led to a new class of workers as production shifted from artisanal work to factory work, creating a high demand for unskilled labor. The working conditions were poor, but these jobs offered higher pay than agricultural work and a potential for social mobility, leading to a distinct working class culture and solidifying class divisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Industrial Revolution gave rise to a new class of workers due to the shift from skilled artisanal work to mechanized factory production. With this shift, there was a high demand for unskilled labor that could operate machinery and perform repetitive tasks for lower wages. This established the working class, composed of men, women, and children, who sought factory jobs to better their economic situations despite often facing unsafe working conditions. Additionally, the middle class expanded, including those who managed or owned businesses, which generally required some level of education or capital.
Along with this shift came an opportunity for social mobility, with the prospect of higher pay compared to agricultural jobs. However, the working class lived in their own neighborhoods and formed a distinct culture, separate from the oversight of business owners and managers. As industrialization continued, the gap between the worker's livelihoods and the middle class's prosperity became increasingly apparent, solidifying the division between social classes.