In what way did industrialization affect the working class?
they improved their standard of living.
they fell far below other classes.
they became more successful.
they were absorbed into the middle class.

Industrialization improved the condition of the upper classes but the working population fell far below other classes for the rich got richer and the poor turned poorer. While the working class toiled to meet their ends meet, the higher classes lived in luxury.

Further Explanation:

Industrialization is the transformation of the economy from agro based industries to manufacturing of goods. The pioneer in this regard was Britain where Industrialization started as early as the 18th century. Prior to this, the only "economy" that existed was agriculture which produced meager income. Owing to this, the mass lived in absolute poverty with no access to meeting their basis needs. Following the industrialization, people began to move to cities to get jobs in the newly opened industries. Industrialization improved transportation, communication and banking. Industrialization improved the standard of living for most people but resulted in a tragic living and working conditions for the working class. Once the workers moved to cities, they began to live in congested, disease-ridden environment. Working in coal mines was considered one of the most dangerous jobs. Diseases like cholera and tuberculosis took a toll on the working population owing to their unhygienic living conditions.

The upper and middle class however lived in a comparatively better condition for now they could afford not just the basic necessities but luxuries as well. It is often cited by noted historians of the time that the middle and the upper classes gained wealth at the expense of the working class and the condition of this class was undeniably depressing to say the least.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: History

Chapter: Industrialization

Keywords:

Industrialization, working class, cholera, tuberculosis, basic necessities, Britain, manufacturing of goods, the middle and the upper class, working in coal mines.  

They fell far below other classes.

The working class made little money for the unskilled labor they were hired to perform. The business owners and managers continued to make more money creating massive gap in the social classes.

The working class became tied to their work and could not survive without the little pay offered to them. Many working class families had to work multiple jobs or all members of the family had to work. Working class families lived in tenement homes at times with multiple families in one apartment. They lived their lives in such poverty they had no money for extras or leisure.