The Victorian Period (1837-1901)

Résumé du document

The adjective ‘Victorian', often appended to words to describe a way of life, thought, culture and politics, sprang from the reign of Queen Victoria, who ruled over Great Britain from 1837 to 1901. She was the longest reigning monarch in British History. The Victorian period was a prosperous period for Great Britain and its Empire, during which this island nation emerged as the most powerful country in the world.

At the end of the 19th century, the British Empire had extended its borders to the far reaching corners of the globe and Victoria was the most powerful sovereign of her time. It was also a prosperous period for Arts. However, this period was also marked by a huge gap between the rich and poor classes.

Born as Alexandrina Victoria in 1819, she ascended the throne in 1837 after the death of her uncle, William IV. Three years later, she married her cousin Prince Albert, and, together they raised nine children. In 1861, her husband died at the age of 42 from a bout of typhoid fever, following which she wore black for the reminder of her life in mourning for him.

In 1877, she was crowned Empress of India. In 1887 she celebrated the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne with a banquet featuring royal kings and princes from across the continent. Following a reign of nearly 64 years, Queen Victoria died in 1901,leaving her son Edward VII as the heir and future king of England. Although she didn't play any major political role, her popularity among the masses was irrefutable. She was considered as the grand-mother of Europe, as her children and grandchildren married into the royal houses across Europe.

Tags: Victorian England, Political institutions in England, Literature during Victorian Era

Extraits

[...] Queen Victoria died on 1901, after a reign of 64 years. She was very popular, although she didn't play any political role. She was considered as the grand-mother of Europe, as her children married many heirs of European Crowns. II. Political life 1. Queen and her political power During the early years of her reign, Victoria was heavily influenced by her prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, and by her husband, after her marriage. In 1837, the government was still seen as the Sovereign's government. [...]

[...] But this period was also marked by a huge gap between rich and poor people. I. General aspects of Queen Victoria's life : Victoria was born in 1819. She took the throne in 1837 after the death of her uncle, William IV. Three years later, she married her cousin Prince Albert, and, together they bore nine children. In 1861, her husband died at the age of 42. When he died, she mourned him for 40 years. In 1877 she was crowned Empress of India. [...]

[...] The Boers war (1899-1902). The Boers defeated the British at Kroonstadt in South Africa in The British Empire You can look at the map. It represents the British Empire in 1899. And we can see that British lands cover one-fifth of the globe. It was the world's largest Empire, and it was at its apogee during the Victorian Period. IV. Arts under Victoria The Victorian Period was a good time for arts development, because it was a prosperous economic time Litterature Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was certainly the favourite writer of the Queen. [...]

[...] This Act meant that normally schools were for all children. III. The British Empire and Wars 1. Wars To increase its Empire, Great Britain was involved in several wars during the Victorian Period. In 1851, India became a British colony. The first war was the Opium Wars. (1840-1842). It was between Britain and China. Great Britain won the war and China conceded Hong Kong and opened Chinese ports for trade. There was a second war in Afghanistan (1841-1842), because the population tried to overthrow British rule. [...]

[...] And it gave the power of voting to any man owning a household worth £10. Now, approximately one man out of five has the right to vote. The Second Reform Act extended the right to vote to another part of the down class ladder, and it doubled the electorate to almost 2 million in England and Wales. The third Reform Act tripled the electorate and gave the vote to agricultural laborers. By this time, voting was becoming a right, rather than the property of the privileged. [...]