Growth of England
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England experienced a time of remarkable growth and expansion in the nineteenth century due to class changes. Its social atmosphere affected both the upper and lower classes, but in different ways. Life for the lower classes changed dramatically in some aspects, for better or worse, and stayed relatively the same in others. Agriculture methods were new improved, some people abandoned their farms in hope for a better life in industry the sweet favor of factory work, however the lower classes still had very little footing in society at the time.
Fabulous agricultural changes during the nineteenth century encouraged growth and experimentation to find the best. New machinery made it easier to farm on land that before was useless. Now areas of tough soil could be more easily plowed and land was left fallow less often due to the new planting cycle and watering methods. Being able to use said land reinforced the amount of food available to the public. Farmers were more prosperous and land was used more efficiently. Food prices dropped as there was a greater supply of it. A surplus of food was very rare. Another benefit to more food available was better health. People were able to fight off disease better when they were better fed, so the death rate decreased which shows the advancement of the times.
Even though there were many new improvements on the life style of the lower classes, the social order was still very rigid. Status was not determined by wealth yet, but by estates. The social structure of the time ran contrary to the enlightenment beliefs and it was not until later that the class system was overhauled. The lower classes also were kept in poverty by their continuing dues owed to the wealthier land-owning class of their area. Then when some peasants moved to urban areas to work in factories, they were paid little money and had to work very long hours. Though peasants were free, they still had to pay tithes to the aristocracy in their village, which mired them quite a bit.
With the industrialization of Great Britain, the jobs available for unskilled laborers changed. From living and working of their farm, laborers moved their jobs to factory work. People moved to cities from their former rural homes. Cities began to grow in number and population as well. Due to the agricultural revolution earlier, people were able to buy their family food affordably instead of having to grow their own. So unskilled workers were able to sustain themselves and their families with a factory job which was an unheard of feat 30 years prior.
The progressiveness of the nineteenth century not only changed what jobs people did and had, but their health, economy, and general way of life also transformed. Yet there was still changes to be made to the set-up of the social order. Machines that aided farming did not just affect the farmer but eventually the whole nation, as they encouraged the increase in the nations food