Final answer:
During the 1800s in England, the Industrial Revolution transformed society from an agrarian to an industrialized one. Major shifts included technological advancements, poor working and living conditions for the labor force, and a significant rural-to-urban migration. Eventually, laws were enacted to address social issues, signaling gradual progress and the end of an era.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Life and Work in England during the 1800s
In the 1800s, England underwent a profound transformation as a result of the Industrial Revolution. This period marked a shift from an agrarian society to an industrial one. People's lives and labor dramatically changed from working the land on farms to working in factories under arduous conditions. The industrialization prompted a massive rural-to-urban migration, swelling the urban population from 9 percent in 1800 to 62 percent by 1900.
Factories were often referred to as “satanic mills” due to the grueling work environments. Despite technological advancements that revolutionized sectors such as textiles and iron, the benefits were not immediately felt by the working class. Real wages remained stagnant, and living conditions in burgeoning industrial cities were deplorable, with overcrowded tenements and insufficient sanitation.
Laws slowly evolved to protect workers, with notable legislations aimed at improving labor conditions emerging later in the century. The Corn Laws exemplified policies that kept food prices artificially high, exacerbating the plight of the working poor. Although societal changes due to industrialization were comprehensive, they were not without consequences, leading to both progress and significant hardship for many.