QUEEN VICTORIA

Victoria became queen at the age of eighteen in 1837 and ruled for nearly 64 years, providing stability to
her country. Her sense of duty made her the ideal head of a constitutional monarchy.
Victoria and Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married in 1840 and had nine children and their family life
provided a model of respectability. In 1857 Victoria gave Albert the title of Prince Consort, in recognition of
his importance to the country. Albert supported the reform, but in December 1861 he died suddenly at the
age of 42.
In memory of her husband, she had the Albert Memorial built in London (1876).

AN AGE OF REFORMS

The 1830s had seen the beginning of what was to be called an age of reform

· 1832 The First Reform Act = voting privileges extended to the large industrial towns.
· 1833 The Factory Act = prevented children from being employed more than 48 hours a week.
· 1834 The Poor Law Amendment Act = workhouses became a deterrent against poverty.
· 1846 Abolition of the Corn Laws.
· 1867 The Second Reform Act = voting privileges extended to part of the urban male workers.
· 1872 Ballot Act = introduction of the secret ballot.

WORKHOUSE

Workhouses were places where, often in return for board and lodging, employment was provided for:

 the poor;
 the orphans;
 the physically and mentally sick;
 the disabled;
 the elderly;
 unmarried mothers.

The porpuse of the workhouses was to inspire the poor to a better life.
in the workhouses families were split up; could meet during meals or in the chapel but they couldn't talk to
each other.
The official diets were so meagre that they were described as a slow process of starvation.

CHARTISM

In 1838 a group of working-class radicals, drew up a People’s Charter demanding:

· universal male suffrage

· equal electoral districts
· voting by secret ballot
· pay for Members of Parliament
· annual elections of Parliament
The Chartist movement failed, although their influence was later felt in the Second Reform Act in 1867.

THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE (famen)

There was a terrible famine in Ireland, during which a lot of people died and many emigrated to America, in
search of a better life.
The causes were:

 Rise in population in 1845.

 Dependence on potato crops.
 Destruction of crops because of bad weather and unknown plant disease.

The Irish crisis forced the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, to abolish the Corn Laws in 1846.
The results were:

 1 million died of disease and starvation.

 2 million emigrated by 1851.
 Decline of Irish language.
 New Catholic landlords.
 Hatred for Britain.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION

The great exhibition was the first universal exhibition and it took place in 1851 in the Crystal palace in Hyde
park. The great exhibition showed the increasing power of the middle classes; it was built so other
countries could show off their scientific and technological developments, and everyone from all over the
British Empire gathered there to see the pride of the nations.
Inside there were many exhibits from several countries, including China, America, Canada and many more.
On each industrial country’s exhibit they showcased their biggest designs, fabrics and their latest creations
to show that their home nation was better than any other.

FOREIGN POLICY

In the mid-19th century England was involved in two Opium Wars, Indian Mutiny and Crimean War.
· England gained access to five Chinese ports and the control of Hong Kong after the Second Opium War.
· British rule acquired greater responsibility after the Indian Mutiny.
· Florence Nightingale led a team of 38 nurses at Scutari base hospital during the Crimean War. Once back
to England, she formed an institution for the development of the nursing profession.

AFTER ALBERS' DEATH

Victoria, after albers' death, sank into depression in 1861,in fact for the rest of her reign, she wore black,
and she rarely appeared in public.
THE LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE PARTY

When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria withdrew from society and spent the next ten years in
mourning. He still remained an important figure even though the political landscape was changing with the
grouping of parties. The Liberal Party, led by William Gladstone, included:

 the former Whig aristocracy;

 some radicals;
 Liberal Anglicans;
 provincial manufacturers and
 businessmen;
 middle class.

While, the Conservative Party included:

 the former Tories;

 landowners;
 nobles.

DISTRAELI AND GLADSTONE

Between 1868 and 1880, Disraeli and Gladstone alternated as Prime Minister.
Both men passed reforms that increased the size of the electorate.
Conservatives passed the Reform Act of 1867, giving working-class men the vote.
Liberals passed the Third Reform Act of 1884, giving all male householders, miners, farm labourers the right
to vote.
By 1900, most men could vote, and the secret ballot was passed.

HOME POLICY FOREIGN POLICY

DISTRAELI Artisans’ and Labourers’ Purchase of more shares
Dwellings Act = clearing in the Suez Canal
of the slums and Company 1875
housing for the poor
1875

Public Health Act =

sanitation and running
water 1875

Factory Act = limited

working hours per week
1878
GLADSTONE Education Act = Home Rule to Ireland =
introduction of “board tried to pass a bill three
schools” in the poorer times but failed
areas of the towns;
1870 The Boer Wars = fought
elementary education in South Africa between
became compulsory the British and the
By 1880 Dutch settlers to win
 Trade Union Act = control of Transvaal
legalisation of trade 1880-1902
unions 1871

Ballot Act = introduction

of the secret ballot at
Elections 1872

Third Reform Act =

extended voting to all
male householders
including miners, mill-
workers and
farm labourers 1884

THE BRITISH EMPIRE

During the 19th century, the British Empire expanded considerably: Britain acquired territories after the
Napoleonic wars.

It has annexed other territories to protect trade routes to India, and since 1880 there was the Scramble for
Africa

At the end of the 19th century Great Britain ruled over an area of 4 million square miles and more than 400
million people.