What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the class structure in society?

The Industrial Revolution significantly transformed the class structure within society, most notably by leading to the emergence of a distinct working class. As industrialization progressed, a large number of people moved from rural areas to urban centers in search of work in factories and industries. This shift marked the formation of a new social class composed of wage laborers who typically engaged in manual labor and worked under often challenging conditions.

The working class became identifiable by their specific roles in the industrial economy, with their labor underpinning the developments of industry and urbanization. In contrast, before the Industrial Revolution, society's class structure was more fluid and often dominated by agrarian interests where status was frequently linked to land ownership.

The working class’s emergence highlighted the disparities between different social classes, including the wealth and power retained by the industrial capitalists or the emerging middle class, which began to grow alongside these changes, benefiting from commerce and industry. This greater stratification of society contributed to social tensions and movements for change as the working class began to advocate for better labor conditions, rights, and responsibilities. Thus, the Industrial Revolution was a pivotal moment for class differentiation, marking the establishment of a distinct working class in response to the industrial economy.