Aspect Working Class
Factory workers, mill
workers, domestic
servants. For example, in
Occupations,
1851, 2 million people in
Jobs, and
England and Wales worked
Careers
in agriculture, while 1.25
million worked in textile
factories.
Cramped, back-to-back
terraced housing. For
instance, in 1851, a survey
Housing
found that in Manchester, 1
in 5 houses had only one
room.
Cramped and quickly built
houses. Many
working-class
Architecture
neighborhoods lacked
proper sanitation and were
overcrowded.
Middle Class Upper Class
Professionals (doctors,
Clerks, shopkeepers,
lawyers), landowners,
small business owners.
aristocrats. For example,
In 1851, there were about
the aristocracy comprised
900,000 shopkeepers
less than 1% of the
and clerks in England
population but owned
and Wales.
about 25% of the land.
Semi-detached houses,
Large estates, mansions,
small apartments. By the
townhouses. For example,
late 19th century,
in 1851, only 3% of houses
suburban housing
in London were considered
developments were
high-class, but they
emerging for the middle
occupied 17% of the land.
class.
More substantial Grand, imposing
housing, sometimes with architecture. Upper-class
ornate features. residences were often
Middle-class homes large, elaborate structures,
often featured decorative showcasing the wealth
elements and were built and status of their owners.

Limited rights and
freedoms, little political
power. Working-class
Rights and
individuals had minimal
Freedoms
say in political matters and
were often subject to
exploitation by employers.
Limited voting rights, often
excluded from political
participation. For example,
the Reform Act of 1832
Political Rights
extended the franchise but
still excluded many
working-class people from
voting.
Often subject to poor
working conditions, lack of
Laws, Acts, and
protective labor laws.
Legislation
Working-class individuals
faced harsh working
with more durable
materials.
Some rights and
Extensive rights and
freedoms, participation
freedoms, significant
in local government.
political power. The upper
Middle-class individuals
class wielded considerable
had more influence in
influence in national
local politics and greater
politics and enjoyed
access to legal
various legal privileges.
protections.
Some voting rights, Extensive voting rights,
involvement in local participation in national
politics. The Reform Act politics. The
of 1867 further expanded Representation of the
suffrage, granting voting People Act of 1884 further
rights to male extended suffrage, giving
householders and certain many more men the right
renters. to vote.
Some labor protection,
Benefited from favorable
improvements in working
legislation, minimal labor
conditions. The Factory
regulation. Upper-class
Acts of the 19th century
interests often influenced
introduced regulations
legislation, resulting in
on child labor, working
 conditions and minimal hours, and workplace fewer regulations and

legal protections. safety. protections for workers.

Limited access to Access to basic Access to quality

education, children often education, emphasis on education, often private

worked instead. The literacy and numeracy. tutors or prestigious

Education Act of 1870 Middle-class children schools. Upper-class

Education established elementary had greater access to children received the best

education for formal education, often education, often through

working-class children, but attending grammar private tutors or

many still had to work to schools or private attendance at elite

support their families. academies. boarding schools.

More varied clothing, High-quality, fashionable

Basic, functional clothing.
reflecting social status. clothing. The upper class
Working-class attire was
Middle-class clothing wore expensive,
practical and affordable,
Clothing was more varied and of fashionable clothing made
often consisting of simple
better quality, reflecting from luxury materials,
garments made from
the social status and showcasing their wealth
inexpensive materials.
aspirations of the wearer. and status.
 Better quality and variety, Gourmet cuisine, access
Simple, affordable fare
ability to afford luxuries. to exotic foods. The upper
such as bread and
Middle-class families class had access to the
porridge. Working-class
enjoyed a more varied finest foods and dining
Food diets were often basic and
diet, with access to a experiences, including
focused on inexpensive
wider range of foods gourmet cuisine and exotic
staples like bread, porridge,
including meat, dairy, and imports from around the
and potatoes.
imported goods. world.