Discuss the living and working conditions of “working class” people living in the 1800s in London, England, and give at least two examples that describe those conditions.

Rapid urbanization and the growth of the working class were new in the 19th century; neither the government nor the capitalists cared about working conditions or wage levels. All family members, including women and children, had to work to survive. Working conditions were not controlled, and they caused serious and incurable harm to health.

One of the most horrifying examples is the so-called ‘phossy jaw’ – phosphorus necrosis of jaw bones caused by lack of hygiene and ventilation in match factories. Challenging and dangerous work was performed by children who could crawl into narrow sections of coal mines or under machinery.

Living conditions were no better, as housing was incredibly expensive and overcrowded. The owners of buildings did not monitor their condition or repair them. There was no sewerage and clean water supply, and people had to take water from the gutter, which consisted of mud.

Many people starved and froze to death in unheated and poorly heated homes. In addition to all this, many people, especially children, were homeless, which led to an increase in crime rates.

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Academic.Tips. 2023. "Discuss the living and working conditions of “working class” people living in the 1800s in London, England, and give at least two examples that describe those conditions." May 6, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/discuss-the-living-and-working-conditions-of-working-class-people-living-in-the-1800s-in-london-england-and-give-at-least-two-examples-that-describe-those-conditions/.

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