\tThere was enormous increase in population all over Europe. In most countries there were more seekers of jobs than employment.\tPopulation from rural areas migrated to the cities to live in overcrowded slums.\tSmall producers in towns were often faced with stiff competition from imports of cheap machine-made goods from England.\tIn those regions of Europe where the aristocracy still enjoyed power, peasants struggled under the burden of feudal dues and obligations.\tThe rise of food prices or a year of bad harvest led to widespread pauperism in town and country.