How did the working class respond to poor conditions during the Industrial Revolution?

The working class during the Industrial Revolution faced severe challenges, including long hours, unsafe working environments, and poor pay. As a response to these dire conditions, many workers began to organize themselves into unions and engage in strikes. This movement was rooted in a growing awareness of their rights and a collective desire for better wages and working conditions. The formation of trade unions was significant as it allowed workers to negotiate collectively with employers, rather than as individuals, which was often ineffective.

Strikes became an essential tool for the working class to express their discontent and push for reforms. Notable examples include the General Strike of 1926 in the UK, where workers across various industries halted work to demand better pay and working conditions. This organized form of protest was a critical response to the inadequate conditions experienced by the labor force during this transformative period in history.

The other options do not accurately capture the active resistance and mobilization efforts that characterized the response of the working class. Acceptance without protest, indifference, or shifting to agriculture instead of advocating for systemic change does not reflect the historical reality where the working class fought for their rights and improved living conditions through organized efforts.