Final answer:
Social classes are distinctions among groups in society based on perceived social superiority, which often align with wealth, power, and status. The upper class had power over their own lives and others, while the middle class had control over their own lives, and the lower class had little control. Historical examples such as the caste system in India and the class divisions from the Industrial Revolution illustrate this hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social classes were composed of people who were perceived as socially superior based on various factors.
The concept of social class is historically rooted in divisions among different groups in society. Historically, social class has been associated with hierarchies concerning wealth, power, and status. Members of the upper class were seen as having not only control over their own lives but also power over others' lives due to their elevated social status. The middle class had control over their own lives without generally exercising control over others. In contrast, the lower class had little control over their work or their lives, illustrating the lack of power associated with lower social standing.
Examples of historical social class structures include the caste system in India, where groups like the Shudras and Dalits were placed at the bottom of the hierarchy, and the creation of new classes during the Industrial Revolution where distinctions between the rich industrialists, middle class, and the workers became clear.