Mass Society

Mass society is a phenomena that occurred in Europe around the late 19th century. It happened in the wake of the Industrial Revolution so assume that most things are connected to it.

The population of Europe nearly doubled from 270 mil to over 460 mil between 1850 and 1910. Caused by a rising birthrate. Introduction of new medical discoveries like the Smallpox vaccine and implementation of sanitation infrastructure like proper sewage systems played a major part in inhibiting diseases. Increases in agricultural productivity, food safety¹⁾, and transportation also increased the food supply which bettered the nourishment of the population as well.

Migration from southeast Europe to the industrialized western portion also boosted the population density. Central Europe didn't have this affect them as heavily because there wasn't enough land for agriculture to support the influx in population. Many people also left Europe for the United States, over half a million per year²⁾.

Urban city centers grew in population immensely as a result of the industrial revolution. London went from 960k to 6.5mil for example, and Berlin from 172k to 2.7mil. This mass influx, while initially causing sanitation issues and overcrowding in cities, were gradually smoothed out by the introduction of proper sewage infrastructure, building regulations, and building of public parks and other greenery to combat smog.

Most city migrants lived in overcrowded, disease-ridden slums. While initially left for private enterprise to handle, it was recognized that public housing must be institutionalized by the government through taxation as a public service.

Former defensive walls from the medieval era were torn down and replaced with parks and pedestrian walkways. Some cities, like Vienna and Paris, were redesigned with wider streets and slums replaced with government buildings and commercial centers that benefited all citizens. Alongside the development of streetcars and commuter rail, the displacement of populations from the slums into the outskirts of the cities was the first step towards suburbanization of cities³⁾.

Social structure changed to accommodate the results of the industrial revolution. As one would expect, wealth inequality was at an all time high. The upper class comprised of about 5% of people and controlled nearly a third of the nations wealth. These people were the business aristocrats and tycoons that would invest back into their countries' businesses. The middle class is similar to the modern day middle class, upper end being managers and professionals like lawyers or doctors, and lower middle class being fulfilled by tradesmen. The middle middle class were mainly modern day white collar workers. While the middle class was not the most prosperous or successful, they held optimism towards the future and placed importance in hard work and R&D for future inventions. Peasants, which transferred from the older feudal systems of their countries still made up 80% of the european-wide population. However this figure only really stems true in non-industrialized countries. In Britain, the percentage is just 10% while in Germany it was 25%. Overall, living conditions improved for everyone.

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The stereotypical domesticated housewife was really one reality and it was a result of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on family life on employed husbands. Marriage was seen as the only path for women, and proper employment was difficult to find. Birthrate declined from the creation of contraceptives like condoms and diaphragms. Respective gender roles were heavily reinforced and parroted during this time.

The three tier education system was popularized during this time. Practically all middle class and up families' children attended school. In public institutions, elementary school became compulsory for both genders. Education was valued to improve the person for religious purposes, work, and military to be a better citizen⁴⁾. Each countries reasoning for education dictated their curriculum as a result. Teachers were primarily female up until universities, as education was seen as an extension to childrearing. Education massively increased the literacy of the European population, even in countries that only invested minimally in education. Newspapers and other forms of entertainment literature boosted in popularity as a result.

Leisure time being standardized as a result of the 40 hour workweek allowed urban residents to enjoy weekends and evenings off for pleasure. Gathering places like dance halls and taverns massively boosted in popularity. Tourism for leisure also increased from better public transportation. Creation of team sports like football also acted as an incentive for club formation and social gatherings. These all contributed to growing consumerism in the middle and upper classes. Shopping districts and large department stores are new byproducts of this increase in luxury goods demand. Advertisements also started to appear in newspapers, mainly targeting women.