The Victorian Age (1837-1901)

Franz Xavier Winterhalter, The young Queen Victoria, 1842 The Victorian Age 1. Queen Victoria Victoria became queen at the age of 18 in 1837. Her reign was the longest in the British history. Franz Xavier Winterhalter, The young Queen Victoria, 1842

Franz Xavier Winterhalter, The young Queen Victoria, 1842 The Victorian Age 1. Queen Victoria In 1840 she married a German prince, Albert of Saxe-Coburg. They had nine children and their modest family life provided a model of respectability. During this time Britain changed dramatically. Franz Xavier Winterhalter, The young Queen Victoria, 1842

British Empire throughout the World, 19th century, Private Collection. The Victorian Age 2. The growth of the British Empire British Empire throughout the World, 19th century, Private Collection. England grew to become the greatest nation on earth  “The sun never sets on England”.

British Empire

2. The growth of the British Empire The Victorian Age 2. The growth of the British Empire British Empire included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya, and India. Great Britain imported raw materials such as cotton and silk and exported finished goods to countries around the world.

British Empire throughout the World, 19th century, Private Collection. The Victorian Age 2. The growth of the British Empire British Empire throughout the World, 19th century, Private Collection. By the mid-1800s, Great Britain was the largest exporter and importer of goods in the world. It was the primary manufacturer of goods and the wealthiest country in the world.

Poem by Rudyard Kipling Offered justification for imperialism White Man's Burden Poem by Rudyard Kipling Offered justification for imperialism White imperialist had a moral duty to educate less developed people Spread western ideas, customs & religions to people in Africa & Asia

British Empire throughout the World, 19th century, Private Collection. The Victorian Age 2. The growth of the British Empire British Empire throughout the World, 19th century, Private Collection. Because of England’s success, the British felt it was their duty to bring English values, laws, customs, and religion to the “savage” races around the world.

India was Jewel in the Crown of English Colonies from 1857 300 million people= a huge potential market Indian business competition was prohibited Major supplier of Raw materials (Cotton, opium)

3. An age of social and political reforms The Victorian Age 3. An age of social and political reforms 1832: The First Reform Act granted the vote to almost all male members of middle-class. 1833: The Factory Act regulated child labour in factories. 1834: Poor Law Amendment established a system of workhouses for poor people.

The Rights of Women or Take Your Choice (1869) The Victorian Age 3. The woman’s question Women’s suffrage did not happen until 1918. Suffragettes The Rights of Women or Take Your Choice (1869)

Workers in a Tobacco Factory The Victorian Age 4. Positive aspects of the age Industrial revolution: factory system emerged; for the first time in Britain’s history there were more people who lived in cities than in the countryside. Technological advances: introduction of steam hammers and locomotives; building of a network of railways. Workers in a Tobacco Factory

Workers in a Tobacco Factory The Victorian Age 4. Positive aspects of the age Economical progress: Britain became the greatest economical power in the world; London is the centre of world trade Workers in a Tobacco Factory

The Victorian Age 5. Crystal Palace Crystal Palace was built for the Great Exhibition of 1851; it was destroyed by fire in 1936. The Crystal Palace

The Victorian Age 6. Crystal Palace It was made of iron and glass, exhibited hydraulic presses, locomotives, machine tools,, and steamboat engines. It had a political purpose  it showed British economic supremacy in the world. The Crystal Palace

7. Negative aspects of the age The Victorian Age 7. Negative aspects of the age Lack of hygienic conditions: houses were overcrowded, most people lived in miserable conditions; poor houses shared water supplies. Pollution in towns due to factory activity. Homeless Boys (1880) London in 1872