The Industrial Revolution began towards the end of the Victorian Era. Life was altered greatly for many people, and the conditions in which they lived and worked changed a great deal. The Revolution caused the middle class to expand rapidly in numbers and importance.

Many people worked long hours for very little pay. Child labor was common in many factories. Various diseases were spread easily because of lack of proper sanitation. Many famines lived in a one room home and slept in a single bed. More people died from filth and poor ventilation than from any wars of that time.

However, these conditions did improve over time with new laws and regulations. Both national and local governments began to introduce such things as factory legislation, sanitary provisions, and welfare programs. Workers developed labor unions and political organizations to protect their interests and achieve a greater share of profits of industry. Socialists worked to raise pay and banned child labor. All of these factors allowed living and working conditions to improve drastically.