DBQ

       In the late nineteenth century, aspects of living were developing and changing to become more urbanized and dependent on machinery. Everyone was effected in some way by the rapidly advancing technologies and urbanization, especially those who were members of the working or middle classes. Those people who had previously been working in small, specialized shops were put out of business by factories that could produce more and sell for less. The middle-class people who were owners of such factories and against such movements as socialism ultimately benefited from the changes that swept across Europe. The technological and urban transformations that occurred in late nineteenth century Europe mostly hindered the working class population, but helped the middle class rise to an even greater position of power.
       Technological advancements changed how the mechanisms of work in nineteenth century Europe functioned. Before the introduction of steam powered engines, people were not capable of commuting to work.The factories had to employ hundreds of people to stay up and running, but each and every single one of those people needed a place to retire to after the work day was ended. The places around factories and even the factories themselves were crowded, dingy, and riddled with disease because so many people lived close together in cramped quarters. This was no longer a problem when steam powered locomotives were manufactured. Figure 1 depicts a compartment of a typical train that would take people to their jobs. This type of impressionism was most likely drawn by someone of the working class, or someone who had experienced a locomotive ride previously. In reaction to the development of steam powered travel, spaces around factories opened up and more sanitary living conditions were established. In this way, the working class was benefited by the technological transformation.
       The working class was not benefited completely by the technological and urban transformations. The scene that is depicted in Figure 1 does not appear to be a happy one. Many of the people riding the train seem to be of the poor, working class. They are emaciated and tired, which signifies that the technological transformations did not aid in their fight for better working hours and higher wages. There are a few men in the painting who appear to be more wealthy than all of the others, but they are distinctly separate from the rest of the people. This can be linked to how socialism was not as successful as the socialists had hoped, because there are still people who have dominance over others. A few select people still had ruling power and authority over the masses, and the working class were aware of this. The working class people of Europe did not like the technological and urban transformations completely.
       The middle class factory owners basked in the light that the urban and technological revolutions gave off. Their lives were made easier and more efficient with the advent of technologies. Figure 2 provides contrast to the Figure 1. It appears to have been painted by someone of the higher class, as it is uniform and sharp. Everyone in the picture is dressed in fancy clothes, hinting that they are all wealthy. One of the most striking features of the painting are the items that are in the hand of everyone in it. It is raining and everyone is holding an umbrella, what's more, it appears that every umbrella is identical. This has the connotation of mass production on an assembly line. The painter revels in this fact of uniformity and wealth. They are praising the technological advancements, because they have benefited from it.
       The technological and urban transformations that spread across Europe in the late nineteenth century left no class untouched. Everyone felt some effect of the changes, and much of it was felt in different ways. The working class was left unsettled because they were not completely benefited. The middle class factory owners enjoyed the pleasures of the transformations.