The Victorian Era

The Victorian Era 1837-1901

Victorian Background • Follows the reign of Queen Victoria • Parallels the Renaissance– there is an expansion of wealth, power and culture

Life of Queen Victoria • Victorian gained the throne at age 18 • She associated with England’s industrialization, economical expansion and imperialism. 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 1840. • Albert had and interests in science, the arts, trade and industry. He is best known for establishing many of the 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 1880. • With family encouragement, Queen Victoria finally reentered the public arena, following the death of her devote husband. • 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 was a proponent of education and aid to the poor and ran many charities. • She continued to work until the day of her death, having just returned from visits to Ireland and South Africa. 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 1850. • Cities continued to grow • According to author Disraeli pointed out that there were “two nations” in England– the rich and the poor.

Life for the Poor • Many people believed that this widespread death and poverty was a trade for the power to which England grew • If there was a depression in the trade market, an entire factory could be unemployed. This lead to extreme poverty and urban slums. This left many families in outdoor slums in the bitter English winters.

Potato Famine • The 1840’s brought the Potato Famine to Ireland. In two years a million people died. • This brought many more starving poor into England’s already crowded streets

Unrest in England • 1840’s were the worst years in the century for unemployment, hunger and disease. This lead to social unrest. • 1884 created universal male suffrage. • 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 • This is the era of “White Man’s Burden” The English believed that it was their preordained purpose to civilize the world.

The Empire Continued • England’s “civilization” of the rest of the world was not usually civil • Among other problems it lead to religious unrest in Ireland in the 1880’s. This religious war continued into the 1990’s.

Religion and other changes • 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

Key Points to Remember • England grew in size, power, and wealth in this era • Queen Victoria was the key to this era’s popularity • The population is characterized by “two nations” • The only constant was change • Writers became political • This is the era of the novel • White Man’s Burden

The Victorian Era