Victorian England 1837-1901

Background The Victorian Age took place during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837-1901 Began at the end of the Industrial Revolution Although some view the period as “old fashioned” and “prudish,” England experienced great social and cultural change Sometimes referred to as the Second English Renaissance

Social Changes Growing middle class, growing wealthy commercial class Democracy, feminism, socialism, and the formation of union among workers occurred during this time period Darwin’s Voyage of the Beagle, which led to the theory of evolution Freud, Marx, and Darwin all important figures during the era The Industrial Revolution(that occurred right before the Victorian Age) increased factory manufacturing and led to urbanization

cultural Changes Women wore corsets, men wore stove-pipe pants and facial hair The Bronte sisters, Oscar Wilde, and Charles Dickens were all great novelists of this time; poetry was also popular Combined Romantic and Neo-Classical Art and literature New art movement: Pre-Raphaelites: Hunt, Dante, Rossetti, and Millais Questioning of religion and Christianity

Queen Victoria June 10, 1837- became Queen of England at age 18 Married to Prince Albert of Germany on February 10, 1840 Had nine children After her husband’s death in 1861, she wore black for the rest of her life Became the Empress of India in 1876 as the English extended their power 1900: ruled more than 410 million people January 22, 1901: died at the age of 80

Resources http://www.english.uwosh.edu/roth/VictorianEngland.htm http://www.victoriaspast.com/FrontPorch/victorianera.htm