Queen Victoria ( ) 1837 Victoria became queen at the age of 18. Her reign lasted 64 years. She was an example to the people of her country, in fact she represented the important values of her time: she was a religious woman, a good wife and a loving mother of 9 children!!!.

In 1840 she married Prince Albert of Germany.

Victorian period Queen Victoria became the symbol of Britain's success in the world. The country became very powerful in this period: - industrial development (steam powered machines) A car

- scientific and technological progress (the invention of the telegraph and the telephone)

- the London Underground was opened (1863)

- elementary education was compulsory and free for all children (1870)

Victorian society There were three different social classes: - the aristocracy - the middle class (upper and lower) - the working class (the poor)

In middle class families, life for children was very strict: the father was respected, the wife didn’t have a job outside her family. She was responsible for the house and for her children’s education (private education at home)

In working class families life was very difficult: The poor lived in small and dirty houses, in dangerous districts and they worked in factories in bad conditions and with low salaries. Also the women and the children had to work to get some money home. They had no public education until 1870.