Victorian era
Introduction
For centuries Europeans lived the same kind of lifestyle,
everyone grows their own food and herds their own
animals, A bit like Neanderthals. Around the time of the
Victorian era, Europe evolved very fast.
In 1819, Alexandrina Victoria was born in Kensington
palace in England. The Victorian era was a special age, with
many interesting events happening. The Victorian era
lasted almost 64 years. The Victorian age knows three
different periods with each period having its highs such as
the work of Charles Dickens, Charles and lows. Queen Alexandrina Victoria (1819 - 1901)
In this era there were a bunch of different revolutions, populations were expanding and living
longer. Many things were developed further such as the steam engine. Also there were a lot
of different power generators, mainly the spinning jenny and the steam engine. The first
factories were opened, staff went of strikes because of the poor working conditions and the
minimal wage. There were also industrial spies in this time because Europe wasn’t as
developed as the other parts of the world. Many businesses flourished in this time but also a
lot of businesses failed.
Many children got hurt and died in this time, that’s why certain acts and reforms were
necessary.
There are many events that happened in this time, so here are the notes worked out in a
kind of a global summary of the Victorian era, a truly wonderful time full innovations and
growth.
Early period (1830-1848)
The early period of the Victorian era and the end Georgian period was known to be a little bit
unstable, facing challenges as unemployment, poverty, economic distress, and rioting.
In 1830 the first steam powered passenger railway service begins, the Lake Lock Railroad.
Richard Trevithick was the first to make the steam powered locomotive in 1803, but this one
was used for transporting goods.
The reform act of 1832 was an act that addressed the regulations of
elections, this reform act extended the right to vote and that
shifted system to be more democratic.
Several riots started in this period, including the swing riot, a riot that began in southern
England, where agricultural laborers were protesting wage cuts and The opening of the Liverpool and
Manchester Railway, 1830
the use of machinery.
In 1837, Alexandrina Victoria became queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland and the Victorian era officially started.
Industrialization was happening fast in this period all kinds of new technology and
innovations were entering the market. While more and more railways were being built.
This time, the working class faced economic hardship, with low wages and job insecurity and
often poor working conditions.
Irish famine (1845 – 1849), the great famine was a time of mass starvation in Ireland caused
by the failure of potato harvesting, which many people relied on for their nutrition.
Mid Period (1848 – 1870)
The mid-Victorian time is viewed as a stable time for the empire, especially when compared
to the beginning period of the Victorian era. Several industries flourished for example cotton
textiles, coal and iron. Railways expanded rapidly throughout the empire.
In response to the earlier challenges they faced, a couple of reforms were established, to
improve living conditions, education and public health.
This time was also flourishing culturally, this time was special for the artistic and literary
achievements. Writers like Charles Dickens wrote their books during this period.
This period was also full of scientific discoveries, for example Charles Darwin published his
book ‘on the origin of species’ introducing the theory of evolution.
The 50’s and 60’s the empire expanded steadily.
The Crimean war, this significant conflict that took place from 1853 to 1856, involving several
countries such as, France and Russia. Because of this war, the empire of Victoria learnt that
there were deficiencies in the British military and medical systems, leading to more and more
reforms.
The elementary act of 1870 made it mandatory for children to attend an elementary
education.
Late period (1870 -1901)
In 1876 the Queen of the British empire was given the name “Empress of India” because
Growing threats to the military
The British empire had 25% of the land of the world colonised.
The Victorian era was a time of transformation and reflection, many seeds of 20th century
developments were planted in this time, making it a crucial phase in British history.
London
From 1837 to 1901 London saw a rapid expansion in population, industry, and infrastructure.
One of the most significant changes during this time was the growth of transportation,
making it easier for people to move around the city.
Another big change for the city was the growth of industry.
A lot of factories and workshops were built, creating all
kinds of jobs and an economic growth. However, these big
changes also led to several problems, one of them,
overcrowding. Overcrowding caused poor living conditions
and poor hygiene for most of the residents in the big city,
restricting people from necessities such as access to clean
water and proper sanitation. The expansion of the
population led to an increase of slums and poverty.
‘Dirty old London’
Despite the challenges the people in the victorian age faced, they also saw a great
advancement in healthcare, hospitals and clinics were build and medical staff was trained
properly to provide better and efficient care for the sick.
Also, a wide range of all kinds of entertainment was introduced in the city, from parks and
gardens to theatre and music, there was always something to do in the now big city.
The great exhibition of 1851
This exhibition was a big exhibition of all kinds of work in the industry of all the nations, this
exhibition is also known as the crystal palace exhibition. The purpose of it was to showcase
all the industrial, technological and artistic achievements of the modern age.
Revolution: Good or bad?
Pros:
- Economic growth
- Innovations and technological advancements
- Job creation
- Improved transportation
- Global impact on the world
-
Cons:
- Working conditions were awful
- Child labor
- Mental health declined
- Poor hygiene, caused a lot of sickness and death
- A lot of people died because of machienery
- Colonial exploitation
- overcrowding
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS_T9Eoa-Ko
https://www.royal.uk/encyclopedia/victoria-r-1837-1901
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/100741
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbimS9gQtZ4&ab_channel=SimpleBriefHistory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um0ZsRNpPLc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nllDcnfoH5A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjK7PWmRRyg&ab_channel=CrashCourse
https://www.npr.org/2015/03/12/392332431/dirty-old-london-a-history-of-the-victorians-
infamous-filth
https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Hanover
https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Famine-Irish-history
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/crimean-war
https://www5.open.ac.uk/research-projects/making-britain/content/queen-victoria-
becomes-empress-india#:~:text=In%201877%2C%20Benjamin%20Disraeli%2C
%20Conservative,India%20more%20closely%20to%20Britain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm9NlYfjqXw&ab_channel=WatchMojo.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjK7PWmRRyg&ab_channel=CrashCourse
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Great-Exhibition-of-1851/
