QUEEN VICTORIA

The Victorian Age

QUEEN VICTORIA
Granddaughter of George III
Succeeded to the throne as
her three uncles died without
heirs
She became queen at the age
of 18
Reigned 1837-1901
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
Two mentors:
Lord Melbourne her first Prime Minister
Prince Albert, her husband relied heavily on his opinion
Constitutional monarchy the monarch had few powers, was
expected to remain above party politics
A QUEEN S LIFE
The royal family mainly lived in Balmoral and the Isle of Wight
removed from daily politics
1851 Great Exhibition
After her husbands death she rarely appeared in public was
criticized for it

A QUEEN S LIFE
She supported many charities involved in education, hospitals, etc.
Royal Commission on housing
She was the first monarch to travel by train
DOMESTIC ISSUES
The dominant political parties changed over Victorias reign
Whigs Liberals and the Conservative Party
1867 Second Reform Act widened the electorate (people who had
the right to vote) right to vote still tied to ownership of property.
Women still cant vote.
1872 Introduction of the secret ballot
1884 Representation of the Peoples Act increased the number of
people entitled to vote

DOMESTIC ISSUES
The population of London rapidly increased
Industrialization - changes from a life based on the ownership of
land to a modern urban economy based on trade and manufacturing
Rapid growth of British economy
Also the era of strict rules, propriety, Jack the Ripper, Dr. Jekyll and
Mister Hyde, Sherlock Holmes, etc.
DOMESTIC ISSUES
Early Victorian period: Working poor, child labor (Oliver Twist,
Hard Times)
mid-Victorian period: The Age of Improvement industry,
science and technology were celebrated; railroad; Darwin
Late Victorian period: rebellions and war in the colonies; German
threat (Bismarck) photography and sound recording
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Rapid extension and colonialism (Africa, Asia, the West Indies)
England is the center of world power

The British Empire also included Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
and large parts of Africa. (The Sun never set on her Empire.)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
During Victorias reign Britain was not much involved in European
affairs. Exception: Crimean War 1853-1856.
1875 Britain bought almost half of the shares in the Suez canal
1877 Victoria became Empress of India 1857 the government
of India was transferred from the East India Company to the Crown
1899-1902 South African War