The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the late 18th century, drastically altered social class structures by giving rise to a new industrial working class and a wealthy capitalist class. As factories emerged, skilled artisans and agricultural workers transitioned to wage laborers in urban settings, leading to the expansion of the working class. This shift created stark socio-economic divisions; while factory owners and capitalists amassed wealth, workers often faced poor conditions, low wages, and limited rights. These developments sparked labor movements and calls for social reforms, which ultimately contributed to changes in laws governing working conditions, labor rights, and the emergence of a more structured social hierarchy.