ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What it was Like to be Poor in the Victorian Era
Living in Victorian-era England was tough, especially if you were poor. While some things were getting better, like understanding germs and using anesthesia for surgery, life was still hard. Even rich people had to deal with diseases and dirty streets. The gap between the rich and the poor was huge, and many people had to come up with creative ways to survive, like selling their hair or catching rats. Let’s explore what life was like for the poor during this time.
Imagine walking through a busy market in a Victorian city. Among the stalls selling food and clothes, you might find people buying human hair. Women who needed money would sell their hair right there in the market. It was like an auction, with people bidding items like silk handkerchiefs or offering cash. This was because fancy hairstyles were very popular among wealthy women, and they needed extra hairpieces to create their looks. Some women would sell just a small section of their hair, a process called “thinning,” to make some money.
If you weren’t born rich, finding a good job was hard, especially in the cities. Since the 1500s, people had been moving from the countryside to cities, looking for work in factories or as pest controllers. This happened because new laws made it difficult for peasants to use common lands for farming. As cities grew, they became crowded and dirty, which led to a lot of rats. Many people became rat catchers to make a living. One famous rat catcher was Jack Black, who claimed to be Queen Victoria’s personal rat catcher. He even helped start the trend of keeping rats as pets!
Books were a great escape for the working class during this time. While famous authors like Charles Dickens were too expensive for most, “Penny Dreadfuls” were cheap stories that people loved. These stories were full of drama and excitement, providing entertainment similar to what we enjoy today with movies and TV shows.
For those who couldn’t catch rats, factory work was often the only choice. Factory jobs were tough, with long hours and dangerous conditions. One of the most dangerous jobs was making matches, which used a harmful chemical called phosphorus. In 1888, over 1,400 women and girls working at the Bryant and May match factory went on strike to protest their working conditions. This strike led to important changes in labor rights and the creation of the Matchmakers Union.
The poor often ate simple foods like bread and potatoes. In 1855, bread riots broke out because food was scarce and prices were high due to bad harvests and the Crimean War. When workhouses ran out of bread, desperate people started raiding bakeries. These riots showed how difficult life was for the working class and were a sign of the struggles they faced.
Thank you for exploring this fascinating time in history! If you’re curious about other historical eras, feel free to ask. Keep learning and discovering more about the past!
Imagine you are in a Victorian market. Create a role-play scenario where you are either a seller or a buyer of hair. Discuss with your classmates what you would offer or accept in exchange for hair. This activity will help you understand the economic challenges and social interactions of the time.
Create a map showing the migration from rural areas to cities during the Victorian era. Use different colors to indicate the reasons for migration, such as job opportunities or changes in farming laws. This will help you visualize the impact of urbanization on society.
Write your own “Penny Dreadful” story. Use dramatic and exciting elements to capture the attention of your classmates. Share your story with the class and discuss how these stories provided an escape for the working class during tough times.
Simulate a day in the life of a match factory worker. Discuss the working conditions and the reasons behind the Match Girl Strike of 1888. Reflect on how this strike contributed to labor rights improvements.
Hold a debate on the causes and effects of the bread riots. Divide into groups representing different perspectives, such as the poor, the government, and bakery owners. This will help you understand the complexities of social unrest during the Victorian era.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any inappropriate or sensitive content while maintaining the essence of the information:
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[Music] Living in Victorian-era England was challenging. Life was improving in some ways; scientists were beginning to understand that germs cause illness, anesthesia was introduced for surgery, and transportation was making travel easier. However, even wealthy individuals had to contend with diseases, streets filled with waste, and strict social norms. It was a tumultuous time, with a significant class divide and rampant poverty, forcing many to find creative ways to survive, from selling hair to farming mice to eating eels. This is what it was like to be poor in the Victorian era.
**Selling Hair**
Imagine walking through a bustling market in a Victorian city, where vendors sell food, clothing, and various goods. Among them are those who specialize in buying human hair, often from women who are in financial distress. In some cases, haircuts occurred right in the open, with bidders gathering to make offers for the locks. This practice was akin to an auction, where people might bid items like silk handkerchiefs or shoes, or simply call out cash amounts.
During the Victorian era, elaborate hairstyles among elite women reached a peak. The trend of large wigs began in France in the 1600s and continued into the 1800s. Women typically wore their hair long, but it was considered scandalous to let it hang down, so they styled it in various elaborate updos. They often wore large hats that required additional hairpieces, known as “rats,” to create the desired look. This demand for hair often came from poorer women looking to earn some money. Some women opted for a technique called “thinning,” where they would sell a small section of their hair instead of cutting it all off at once.
**Urban Migration and Rat Catching**
If you weren’t born into wealth during the Victorian era, making a decent living was quite difficult, especially in cities. Since the 1500s, people had been moving from the countryside to urban areas, transitioning from farming to factory work or pest control. The shift to cities began when land enclosure laws restricted peasants’ access to common lands. As industrialization progressed in the late 1700s, many flocked to rapidly developing urban centers, which often became overcrowded and unsanitary.
In response to the rat population that thrived in these conditions, many individuals became rat catchers. One notable figure was Jack Black, who rose from poverty to become a celebrity rat catcher. He claimed to be Queen Victoria’s personal rat catcher and wore a sash with her initials. His business thrived, and he even contributed to the trend of keeping fancy rats as pets.
**Penny Dreadfuls**
During this time, literature provided an escape for the working class. While the works of authors like Charles Dickens were too expensive for many, “Penny Dreadfuls” offered cheap, serialized stories that became popular among the lower classes. These sensational tales often featured dramatic themes and provided a communal experience for readers, akin to modern entertainment.
**The Match Girl Strike of 1888**
For those who couldn’t find success as rat catchers, factory work was often the only option. Factory conditions were harsh, with long hours and exposure to dangerous chemicals. One of the most hazardous substances was phosphorus, used in match production. The Bryant and May match company employed many women and children, often under exploitative conditions.
In 1888, after a critique of the company’s practices, over 1,400 women and girls went on strike, leading to significant changes in labor rights and the establishment of the Matchmakers Union.
**Bread Riots**
The diet of the poor was often limited to bread, potatoes, and occasionally meat. In 1855, a series of bread riots erupted due to food scarcity and rising prices, exacerbated by poor harvests and the Crimean War. The situation escalated when workhouses ran out of bread, leading to desperate crowds ransacking bakeries. These riots highlighted the struggles of the working class and would not be the last of their kind.
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This version maintains the informative content while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Victorian – Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901, known for its distinct cultural norms and advancements in literature and industry. – Charles Dickens was a famous author during the Victorian era, known for his vivid depictions of social issues.
Era – A period of time marked by distinctive characteristics, events, or developments. – The Renaissance era was a time of great cultural and artistic growth in Europe.
Poverty – The state of being extremely poor, often lacking basic necessities like food and shelter. – Many families in the 19th century faced poverty, struggling to make ends meet in the rapidly industrializing cities.
Hair – The strands that grow from the skin of humans and animals, often styled in various ways throughout history. – In ancient Egypt, both men and women wore wigs made of human hair as a sign of status and cleanliness.
Migration – The movement of people from one place to another, often for reasons such as economic opportunity or safety. – The Great Migration saw many African Americans move from the rural South to northern cities in search of better jobs and living conditions.
Rats – Rodents that have been present throughout history, often associated with spreading disease and living in urban areas. – During the Middle Ages, rats were infamously linked to the spread of the Black Plague across Europe.
Penny – A small unit of currency, often used to describe something inexpensive or of little value. – In Victorian England, children would save their pennies to buy sweets or small toys.
Dreadfuls – Cheap and sensational literature popular in the 19th century, often featuring crime or horror stories. – Penny dreadfuls were a popular form of entertainment among young readers in Victorian London.
Strike – A work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work, usually to protest working conditions or wages. – The coal miners’ strike of 1926 was a significant event in British labor history, highlighting the struggle for fair wages.
Riots – Violent disturbances by a crowd, often in response to social or political issues. – The Boston Tea Party was a famous riot that contributed to the American Revolution.
