Final answer:
The middle class expanded during the Industrial Revolution, with the emergence of new professions and an increase in economic opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a result of the Industrial Revolution, the situation of the middle class was notably changed. The correct answer to the question is C) The middle class expanded. This expansion was due to several factors that arose during the Industrial Era. New economic opportunities led to the growth of industries and commerce, establishing a wider scope for middle-class professions like engineers, accountants, managers, and bureaucrats. Moreover, many of these middle-class individuals were the owners and supervisors of the new factories, mines, and railroads.
The Industrial Revolution created new wealth for those who owned or managed these growing enterprises, while at the same time, the working class faced long hours and precarious conditions in factories. The middle class often lived in separate neighborhoods and emphasized values such as work ethic, consumption, and education, aiming to maintain or improve their social status. Over time, the expansion of the middle class played a pivotal role in creating new cultural norms and defining social relations during the Industrial Age.