Great Britain was a very important, rich nation in the middle of the nineteenth century. London was one of the biggest and most powerful cities in Europe.Merchants and professionals became rich in london. These people became part of the new high society. They were well educated and lived in beautiful houses with servants. They were always very elegant and often went to the theatre , parties and dinners.
During the industrial revolution thousands of people came to london from all over the country. They found work in the factories, too. Adults and children worked very long hours in terrible conditions. Children often did the most dangerous work because they were very small : chimney sweeps, for example ! There were many accidents at work and some were fatal !
Workers made very little mone and lived in small, dark houses. The streets were dirty and narrow. Living conditions were very unhealthy.
Some people had no work and no home. These men, women and children often became beggars or criminals. Others lived in a workhouse. The Poor Law of 1598-1601 (changed in 1834) obligated the local priest to take care of the poor in his area. This was the beginning of the workhouses. They were often sad, squalid places.
Every workhouse had a master who was responsible for it. The people in the workhouse did unpleasant jobs in return for a little food and some shelter. They were usually hungry, cold and often ill. Some masters sold the children to the factories.
Some rich Victorians wanted to help the poor. In London Dr Thomas Barnardo established a home for orphan boys in 1870. William and Catherine Booth created the Salvation Army in 1878 to help poor, hungry people. Today the Salvation Armyis an international organisation.
There were several social reforms during Queen Victoria's reign, but poverty remained a big problem during the nineteenth century.
