Explain the social composition of mid-nineteenth century Europe.

Explain the social composition of mid-nineteenth century Europe.

Ans. (i) Socially and politically, the landed aristocracy, though numerically a small group, formed the dominant class in nineteenth century Europe.

(ii) The members of this class were united across regional divisions by common way of life that cut across regional divisions.

(iii) They owned large estates in the countryside and also town houses.

(iv) They spoke French for the purpose of diplomacy and in high society.

(v) Their families were often interconnected by ties of marriage.

(vi) The majority of the population was made up of peasants, people who worked on land as tenants, small owners or serfs.

(vii) Due to industrialisation, new social groups came into being:

- a working class population

- middle classes made up of industrialists, businessmen and professionals.

(viii) The growth of industrial production and trade gave rise to the middle class.