What was a consequence of the Industrial Revolution on societal structure?

The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on societal structure, leading to the creation of distinct social classes. With the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized ones, people moved from rural areas to rapidly growing cities in search of work in factories. This shift resulted in a clear division between those who owned the means of production, such as factory owners and industrialists, and those who worked for them, like factory laborers.

Such economic changes fostered the emergence of a working class that often faced difficult conditions, contrasting sharply with the wealth and privileges of the upper class. Over time, this led to greater social stratification, as people identified more strongly with their socioeconomic status, resulting in distinct layers within society based on wealth, occupation, and lifestyle. This development highlighted class differences and tensions that had not been as pronounced in predominantly agrarian societies, facilitating new social ideologies and movements that emerged in response to these inequalities.