Social Classes and Labor Movements in the 19th Century

Social Classes in the 19th Century

Aristocracy and Wealthy Elites

Circles were common in private clubs and casinos frequented by the richest. Aristocratic salons and balls were prevalent. Clothing was ostentatious, and abundant appearance was cared for to enhance social standing.

Farmworkers: The Peasants

Despite the changes, peasants remained the largest population group in the early 20th century. Their lifestyle was traditional, and their views were conservative. Peasants were hostile to liberalism and socialism initially and did not support the notional cause. In contrast, they demonstrated support for conservatives, order, and religion.

Groups:

• The Wealthy: Liberal measures benefited them, and they became landowners.
• The Landless Laborers: They were paid for work performed, abundant only in the south of Spain, Eastern Europe, Italy, and all geographic areas seized by Russia. In these areas, revolutionary ideologies such as anarchism emerged.

City Workers: Workers and the Marginalized

In urban areas, two groups of workers appeared: those in industry and those in the service sector. With the creation of industrial complexes, there was a decline in traditional craft production. The number of industrial workers did not stop growing. Old craftsmen were forced to submit to the new systems of production, along with peasants who migrated to the cities in search of work. Thus, new pro-industry workers appeared, generally low-skilled and frequently interchangeable with female and child labor for work in mines and textiles, as they needed few skills. In the late 19th century, employment of children began to be prohibited, along with that of these new female workers.

Alongside these workers were the surviving heirs to the traditions of the old guilds: bakers, tailors, and other crafts. Accustomed to controlling their workplace, they were the first to react to industrialization by organizing the first labor movements and revolutions in Europe. The number of workers occupying the service sector was abundant.

In capitals and large cities, there were numerous officials and clerks, who were in increasing expansion. However, the most numerous were shop assistants and domestic servants.

The Living Conditions of the Workers

Living conditions were almost deplorable, especially in new industries: days of more than ten hours, piecework, low wages. In workers' quarters, the situation was even worse due to the lack of public services and the renting of small houses. Conditions improved during the 19th century because of social and urban planning measures and the pressure exerted by the labor movement.

Many urban workers migrated in despair; some others escaped through alcohol, prostitution, and gambling. Less fortunate workers even lived in destitution. Mass entertainment was little developed. The tavern was the main entertainment center.

Socialism and Social Movements: Unionism

The consequences of industrialization and dissatisfaction were expressed through two means:

• Ideologies represented by socialist and anarchist thinkers emerged in France and Great Britain. They attempted to rebuild new bases of social harmony and solidarity in the community, which they believed had been destroyed by the inhumanity and injustice of the new capitalist society.
• A broad social and political movement tried to organize workers and embark on a collective project that could improve their situation.

Socialist Thought

Socialist ideologies had the following features in common:

• Progress was an irreversible force that led to the overcoming of capitalist injustice.
• Rights and political freedoms were insufficient if social equality did not exist.
• Partnership created a collective value that belonged to everyone and could not be owned by a few.

Early Socialists

Early socialists spread their theories between 1815 and 1848 in France and Britain. They were later called "utopian" by Marx and his followers. The new society was desirable for all, planned, and would be launched by the mere will of mankind.