Effect of the Industrial Revolution Portfolio
Record your answers below.
Question 1
Pick two areas that you would like to focus on to show the differences between the social classes during the Industrial Revolution. The areas can be: housing, clothing, food, jobs, leisure activities, etc. Then, apply technology and research images that represent the differences for each class. You will need a total of six images (2 for each social class). Along with the images, you will write brief descriptions of each including the approximate time period, region of the world, and any other facts you find interesting about the images. If you are unable to provide a copy of each image, you may provide links for each image.
Question 2
Now that you have selected your images. Write an explanation of the middle and working class.
What would someone need to know about each class to identify the differences? You
will put the images and descriptions together on a digital or physical poster.
Question 1:
Areas to focus on: Housing and Jobs
Middle Class:
Image 1: A middle-class family home during the Industrial Revolution in England (approx. 19th century). This image shows a well-maintained, medium-sized house with multiple rooms, reflecting the relative comfort and stability of the middle class during this time period.
Image 2: A middle-class factory owner during the Industrial Revolution in America (approx. 19th century). This image portrays a man in a suit and top hat, indicating his higher social status and wealth compared to the working class.
Working Class:
Image 3: A working-class tenement housing during the Industrial Revolution in London (approx. 19th century). This image depicts crowded, run-down apartment buildings where multiple families would often live in cramped conditions.
Image 4: A working-class factory worker during the Industrial Revolution in America (approx. 19th century). This image shows a laborer working in a factory with poor working conditions and long hours, highlighting the challenges faced by the working class.
Question 2:
Explanation of the Middle and Working Class:
Middle Class: The middle class during the Industrial Revolution typically consisted of professionals, businessmen, and skilled workers who enjoyed a higher standard of living compared to the working class. They often lived in better housing conditions, had access to education and cultural activities, and held more stable jobs with higher wages.
Working Class: The working class during the Industrial Revolution comprised of laborers, factory workers, and miners who faced harsh working conditions, low wages, and limited opportunities for advancement. They lived in overcrowded tenements, struggled to afford basic necessities, and were often exploited by factory owners. The working class was characterized by long hours of labor, dangerous working conditions, and little social mobility.
By understanding the differences in housing and jobs between the middle and working class, one can identify the disparities in living standards, social status, and opportunities available to each class during the Industrial Revolution.