Class Divisions In 19th Century Essay

The 19th century, also referred to as the Victorian Era, ushered in an era of unprecedented prosperity to England. This lesson touches on 19th-century English society, its social values and class divisions, the Industrial Revolution, and the British Empire.
19th-Century England
You're probably familiar with 19th century England, while not realizing it. The 19th century provided the backdrop for the engaging worlds written by some of England's most prolific authors, including Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. While Jane Austen depicted idyllic romantic scenes among the English nobility, Charles Dickens showed the gritty realities of 19th-century life for many people. Throughout this lesson, you will see how class divisions mixed with a new economic prosperity defined 19th-century life in England.

The Victorian Era and the Industrial Revolution
Queen Victoria ruled over England for a large part of the century, from 1837 to 1901. For this reason, the period is often known as the Victorian Era. This was also a time that

Previously, England was controlled by the landed gentry, or wealthy land holders who gained their status through family lineages. During Victorian times, the landed gentry became wealthy business owners who still controlled politics and the economy.

One positive social outcome of the Industrial Revolution was the development of skilled labor, which led to the rise of a middle class. The middle class consisted of newly educated experts in industrial technologies, along with other college-educated professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers. It also included people who worked as teachers, governesses, clerks, and other white-collar workers who were not paid as much but still saw a distinction between themselves and the lower