The Victorian Era

Victorian Background Follows the reign of Queen Victoria An expansion of wealth, power and culture

Life of Queen Victoria Victoria gained the throne at age 18 By the time of her death it was said that England was “an empire upon which the sun never set.” She married Prince Albert in He is known for establishing museums in London.

Queen Victoria Continued Until the late 1860’s, Queen Victoria rarely made public appearances. There were several attempts on her life between 1840 and During Victoria's long reign, the crown lost much of its direct power. A series of Acts broadened the social and economic base of the parliament and prime minister. This gave voters and individuals in England more say in English politics.

End of Queen Victoria’s Life Even though Queen Victoria lost much of her sovereign power, she was well liked and was able to influence many of parliament’s decisions. She was a strong supporter of the Empire, which flourished under her rule. She supported education, gave aid to the poor and ran many charities. Victoria had the longest rule of 64 years when she died in 1901.

Changes in England England continued to expand industrially under Victoria. By 1848 England produced as much iron as the rest of the world combined. The number of people doubled in England between 1801 and Cities continued to grow England appeared to divide itself into two classes - the rich and the poor.

Unrest in England 1840’s were the worst years in the century for unemployment, hunger and disease. This lead to social unrest. Change was the only constant. People began to trust in progress. The Education Act of 1891 created free schools for everyone up until age 12

The Empire Up until the 1870’s, most Englishmen viewed the colonies like India as economic burdens. With new commercial rivals, the English viewed their colonies in a new light– as means to expand their trade

Religion/Science and Literature The rise of science causes a serious question of religion. This is the era of Darwin and Freud. Writers no longer just wrote “art” they took on political responsibility in their writing This is the era of the novel. There is also a revival of the drama in England. In the beginning of the Victorian period, magazines printed novels in installments. This declined in late Victorian England, leading to a new creation– the British short story. Famous Authors Charles Dickens Robert L. Stevenson Thomas Hardy Jane Austen Lewis Carroll

Money Pounds (£) Shillings (s.) Pence (d.) Typical Incomes (annual) Aristocrats £30,000 Merchants, bankers £10,000 Middle-class (doctors, lawyers, clerks) £ Lower middle-class (head teachers, journalists, shopkeepers, etc.) £ Skilled workers (carpenters, typesetters, etc.) £ Sailors and domestic staff £40-75 Laborers, soldiers £25