Emily Gall Allison McGinnis Kate Pelch Kinsley Reinhart Ranjot Dhillon Period 4

Most of the middle class budget was spent on food. - Meat took about 10% of all money earned - 25% went to other food and drink Upper-Middle Class families were notorious party throwers, hosting large dinner parties for 8 to 12 people almost every week. Middle Class Culture Upper-Middle Class rented apartments instead of purchasing homes Middle Class women became very clothes-conscious - Clothes cheaper because of factories, department stores, and sewing machines - Wife hired many servants - Had one main, full time servant - Working class nicknamed them “the Servant-Keeping Class” Education became more important, which was an added expense Middle class united by strict moral code of behavior and morality - Crime, drunkenness, and gambling were looked down upon - Sexual purity and fidelity were celebrated virtues

Example of apartments in England

Wage Inequality Life improved for many people during the late 19 th century. Life improved for many people during the late 19 th century. –Minimum wage doubled in  Labor force realized they could work for more than they were. This didn’t change much, the rich were still rich and the poor This didn’t change much, the rich were still rich and the poor In all industrial countries: In all industrial countries: –The richest 5% were raking in 33% of the country’s income –The richest 20% were making 50-60% of the country’s income –The other 80% were only making 40-50% of country’s income –The poorest 30% were only making 10% or less country’s income Middle class made up under 20% of the population Middle class made up under 20% of the population The wealthy had very light weight income taxes The wealthy had very light weight income taxes Communities were diversified economically Communities were diversified economically The very rich were separated from the very poor by several sub-classes The very rich were separated from the very poor by several sub-classes –A complex hierarchy of classes Economic inequality still major factor in the economy Economic inequality still major factor in the economy

Upper middle class family and poor working class family

Women’s fashion The dress making industry was a big deal The dress making industry was a big deal The fashions were constantly changing The fashions were constantly changing –Middle class women followed the trends especially –Department stores began to develop Clothes showed difference between classes and difference between genders Clothes showed difference between classes and difference between genders Most changes originated in 19 th century Paris Most changes originated in 19 th century Paris In the 1850s-60s wealthy women wore huge tailored dresses w/ skirts made circular by huge metal hoops along w/ corsets In the 1850s-60s wealthy women wore huge tailored dresses w/ skirts made circular by huge metal hoops along w/ corsets 1870s bustles made popular, they accentuated the back of the dress rather than go all the way around 1870s bustles made popular, they accentuated the back of the dress rather than go all the way around –The middle class bought cheaper versions of both styles 1890s began a trend called alternative dress 1890s began a trend called alternative dress –Men’s wear pieces such as hats, ties, and jackets –Probably due to mass of women now working  Not in labor –Corsets still worn along with long skirts In 1910s the corset was ditched for good and the more comfortable loose flowy dresses came into favor. In 1910s the corset was ditched for good and the more comfortable loose flowy dresses came into favor. –Due to more women's rights that were granted at the time? Or was it to reaffirm some gender boundaries that were dropped during the alternative dress trend Or was it to reaffirm some gender boundaries that were dropped during the alternative dress trend

The Working Classes The working class was divided into three subcategories. The working class was divided into three subcategories. The working classes inside the working class worked similar to the old social structure The working classes inside the working class worked similar to the old social structure 1.Skilled  15% of the working class  The bosses and foremen  Long term pressure to stay employed due to the constant need and loss of labor demand.  Strong morality  The aristocrats of the working classes 2.Semiskilled  Carpenters, bricklayers, pipefitter were the top of the semiskilled  The rest were factory workers  The middle class of the working classes 3.Unskilled  Longshoremen, wagon-driving teamsters, teenagers, and ‘helpers’  Most were skilled but were unorganized and divided  The lower class of the working classes

Working class leisure and religion Leisure The urban working class wanted fun and recreation The urban working class wanted fun and recreation Across Europe drinking was still the favorite leisure time activity for the working people Across Europe drinking was still the favorite leisure time activity for the working people - Moralists saw the love of drink as bad - Was said to be the cause of dispute and misery in working class homes At the same time drinking became more public and social At the same time drinking became more public and social -Married couples and sweethearts began to take part in social drinking - Greater participation by women helped civilize drinking - Greater participation by women helped civilize drinking “Problem drinking” declined in the late 19 th century “Problem drinking” declined in the late 19 th century -It became less socially accepted The two other leisure time activities were sports and music halls The two other leisure time activities were sports and music halls - There was a big decline in “cruel sports” (ex. Cockfighting and bull baiting) - Were replaced by modern sports (ex. Racing and soccer) - Were replaced by modern sports (ex. Racing and soccer) - Music hall performances were interesting to the public - Were usually about drunkenness, pregnancy before marriage, marital difficulties, and problems with Mother-in-laws. - Were usually about drunkenness, pregnancy before marriage, marital difficulties, and problems with Mother-in-laws.

Religion Religion and churches continued to provide meaning. Religion and churches continued to provide meaning. - The early 19 th century was seen as an age of religious revival. But by the last two or three decades the was decline in church attendance and donations. But by the last two or three decades the was decline in church attendance and donations. - It seemed people became more secular and less religious. - One reason was because the construction of churches could not keep up with the population. - The working class was concerned with politics, which had been separated from religion. The pattern was different in the United States. The pattern was different in the United States. - Churches were often identified with an ethnic group rather than with a social class. - Churches thrived because they were a means of asserting ethnic identity.

Middle Classes By the 20 th century, diversity began to increase within the middle classes. By the 20 th century, diversity began to increase within the middle classes. Upper middle class mostly consisted of successful business families from banking, industry and large scale commerce. Upper middle class mostly consisted of successful business families from banking, industry and large scale commerce. - Drawn toward aristocratic lifestyle - Drawn toward aristocratic lifestyle - Tried to replace old aristocracy by forming new class - Tried to replace old aristocracy by forming new class The middle middle class were larger, less wealthy and increasingly diversified. The middle middle class were larger, less wealthy and increasingly diversified. - Successful industrialists, merchants, and professionals in law and medicine - Successful industrialists, merchants, and professionals in law and medicine -Expansion of industry and technology resulted in a demand for experts -Expansion of industry and technology resulted in a demand for experts The lower middle class was the independent shopkeepers, small traders, tiny manufactures and white-collar employees. The lower middle class was the independent shopkeepers, small traders, tiny manufactures and white-collar employees.

Aristocrats - -Upper-Middle Class - - Middle-Middle Class - - Lower-Middle Class - -Highly Skilled Workers - - Semi-Skilled Workers - - Unskilled Workers