Final answer:
The class system during the Georgian and Victorian eras evolved from a feudal structure to one based on wealth and occupation, influenced by the Industrial Revolution. The Victorian era highlighted sharp class divisions, with the bourgeoisie accentuating their moral superiority and fearing the working class's rising demands for change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class system during the Georgian and Victorian eras was characterized by significant changes due to the impact of the Industrial Revolution. In the Georgian era, society began to shift from a feudal structure based on land ownership to one where class was determined more by wealth and occupation. The influx of commoners to cities for jobs created a new social mobility dynamic.
The Victorian era saw further development of the class system, where the bourgeoisie, or middle class, gained power and wealth, distinguishing themselves from both the working class and the old nobility. Class distinctions were emphasized through clothing, behavior, and the espoused morality of the bourgeoisie, who viewed themselves as superior to the working class. The belief that one's social condition was deserved based on personal qualities was prominent among the higher classes.
During the Victorian period, the bourgeoisie feared the rise of the working class and their potential to demand change. They worried about a class uprising and took pride in their own cultural and scientific achievements, believing European civilization had reached its pinnacle. This era also experienced the intensification of class divisions, starkly observed in the different 'uniforms' or clothing styles of each class, which signified one's income and societal position.