1. Progressive Reforms

2. Atomic Theory
Atomic theory: the idea that all matter is made up of discrete units called atoms
Although the idea had been around since Classical Greece, English physicist John Dalton first developed a modern atomic theory around 1800
Atomic theory led to the creation of the modern periodic table of elements by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869

3. Geology Geology is the study of the Earth
Geologists, using scientific dating methods, discovered that the Earth was at least 2 billion years old (today, geologists say it is closer to 4.5 billion)
This caused an uproar because it contradicts the Bible, (which sets the date of the Earth’s creation as 4004 BC) thereby upsetting religious fundamentalists

4. Paleontology
Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life, primarily through fossilized remains
Archaeologists and paleontologists made some unsettling discoveries – the fossilized remains of Neanderthal Man and dinosaurs – creatures not accounted for in the Bible
Biblical scholars countered that these creatures either died in the Great Flood or never really existed at all (as in, they were “false” records left by Satan)

5. Theory of Evolution
Naturalist Charles Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man (1871)
Argued that all forms of life, including humans, had evolved from previous life forms
Proposed that evolution comes about due to “natural selection” or “survival of the fittest” – those best suited to survive live long enough to reproduce and pass on their traits to offspring, while the “unfit” die young without reproducing

6. Response to Darwin
Darwin was strongly opposed by Christian groups because his theory meant that man had evolved over millions of years rather than be created by God in a single day
The evolution debate would open a new rift between science and religion that would carry over well into the twentieth century

7. Social Darwinism
Some people adapted Darwin’s idea of natural selection to fit their beliefs about society
strong nations were the “fittest” and had a natural right to make war on weaker nations
led to many bloody wars and to imperialism
Large corporations were the “fittest” and had a natural right to run smaller, weaker companies out of business
led to dangerous monopolies
White European culture was the “fittest” and was naturally superior to all other races and nationalities
Led to racism and encouraged imperialism

8. Social Changes
The Industrial Revolution ended the age of “nobles and peasants” in the West
The new upper class was now made up of wealthy industrialists and businessmen
Growing middle-class was composed of doctors, lawyers, teachers, and “white collar” office workers
The lower class was primarily “blue collar” factory workers, construction workers, and farmers

9. British Democracy
In 1815: less than 5% of British citizens could vote – had to be a white adult Anglican male who owned land
Additionally, the House of Lords (the nobility) could veto any bill passed by the House of Commons

10. Voting Reforms
1820s: Catholics and non-Anglican Protestants were extended the vote
The Great Reform Act of 1832:
allowed any man who owned property to vote
redistributed seats in the House of Commons to more populated areas (away from rural villages and towards industrial towns and cities)

11. Chartist Movement Landless workers demanded changes:
Wanted all men to be able to vote
Wanted annual elections
Wanted voting to be by secret ballot
After petitioning Parliament 3 times with no success, the Chartist movement faded

12. Further Voting Reforms
1860s: Two new political parties emerged – Conservatives (led by Benjamin Disraeli) and Liberals (led by William Gladstone)
1867: Reform bill pushed through by Disraeli extended the vote to many factory workers
1880s: Gladstone pushed through voting rights for farm workers
1911: House of Commons removed House of Lords right to veto laws

13. The Victorian Age Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
Longest reigning monarch in British history
Her reign was marked by a strict morality:
People were driven by a sense of duty, thrift, honesty, & hard-work
Good manners and respectability were extremely important
Many began to believe in social reform as being the “proper” thing to do

14. Middle Class Values
Parents very strict in raising their children – the “seen and not heard” philosophy
Marriages were no longer arranged, but one was expected to choose a socially acceptable mate, subject to parental approval (and no “dating” took place without an adult chaperone present)
Wives were expected to stay at home and manage the household, raise the children, and obey their husbands

15. Ending Slavery
Many Christian groups had pushed for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire
In 1833, thanks largely to the efforts of William Wilberforce, who had campaigned for abolition for nearly half a century, Parliament finally banned slavery in all British colonies

16. Limiting Capital Punishment
In the early 1800s, over 200 crimes were punishable by death, including petty theft
By 1850, Parliament had reduced that number to four: murder, piracy, treason, and arson
Instead of death, many criminals were punished by being banished to penal colonies in Australia and New Zealand (newly discovered by Capt. James Cook in 1770)
In 1868, Parliament ended public executions and outlawed imprisonment for debt

17. Labor Reforms Improvements in working conditions
laws against child labor
laws set minimum wage, maximum hours
more safety requirements in factories and mines
Unions came into existence (but strikes were still illegal)
Improvements in housing, education, and benefits

18. Women as Activists
Women began to fight for suffrage, legalized divorce, and economic freedom for themselves
Many campaigned for temperance (a ban on alcohol)
Many had worked to bring an end to slavery

19. Women’s Suffrage
Women tried for years to win the right to vote through protesting and public demonstrations
When this failed, they turned to violence, hunger strikes, and other high-risk behaviors
In 1918, Parliament finally allowed women over 30 to vote