Concetti Chiave
- Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 at 18, ruling for 64 years during an era of economic, scientific, and social progress, embodying an ideal constitutional monarch by deferring to Parliament.
- The Age of Reform began in 1830, marked by significant legislative changes like the First Reform Act of 1832, which extended voting rights to the middle class in cities like Birmingham and Manchester.
- Reform acts such as the Factory Act of 1833 and the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 sought to improve working conditions, although workhouses provided poor living standards and were largely administered by the Church.
- Chartism emerged in 1838 as a movement for electoral reform, advocating for universal male suffrage and a secret ballot, though it initially failed due to resistance from those in power.
- The Irish Potato Famine of 1845, caused by bad weather and disease, led to widespread poverty and emigration, prompting Prime Minister Peel to repeal the Corn Laws in 1846.
Victorian Age
Queen Victoria : was the late king's niece, the late king (George III) had no heir so he adopted the niece to become his successor in 1837 at only 18 years old. Ruled for 64 years in an age of economic aand scientific progress (industrial rev in America) and social progress. She became the ideal head of the constitutional monarchy because she left all the decisions to the Parliament but still remain an important figure. Married to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1840. Had 9 children and were a model of respectability. Victoria took help and advice from her husband. got the title of Prince Consort in 1857.
Age of reform: begin at 1830
First Reform Act => 1832 instead of the nobility could vote also the middle class in Birmingham and Manchester.The Factory Act => 1833 children aged 9-13 can't be employed more than 48 h/week and no one from 13 - 18 could work more than 72h/week.
The Poor Law Amendment Act => 1834 creation of workhouses and institutions for workers
Workhouses : Bad life, the poor wears uniforms and were split from the family cause there were different compartments for men and women and even for children. Such a poor place with low hygiene system. Mainly run by the Church.
Chartism : People's Charter formed by the working class in 1838 demanding -> 1. Universal male suffrage, 2. A secret ballot, 3. Other reforms for the electoral system. No one in power was ready to accept so the movement failed. They were slow but constant.
Second Reform Act => 1867 gave the vote to skilled working men in England and Wales
The Ballot Act => 1872 secret ballot introduced
The Irish Potto Famine : Because of the bad weather and an unknown plant disease from America ruined potato crops in 1845. Ireland's agriculture depended on potatoes so they experienced a terrible poverty, which caused a lot of deaths and lots of them emigrated in America to have a better life. Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel put an end to the Corn Laws in 1846, which imposted tariffs on imported corn to keep the cost of the bread high to protect the interests.
Technological progress : In 1851 Prince Albert organized a Great Exhibition to show the world Britain 's Industrial and economic power. Was held at the Crystal Palace = huge structure of glass and steel designed by sir Joseph Paxton erected in Hide Park.
Victorian Thinkers.
Bentham's Utilitarianism: Victorian values found their basis in some movements of the age. First of all Utilitarianism, based on Jeremy Bentham'Bentham's principles (1748- 1832).
According to this movement, an action is morally right if it leads to happiness and wrong if it leads to sadness. It was followed by the middle class cause it suited well their interests. So any problem could be overcome through reason and common sense.
Domande da interrogazione
- Chi era la regina Vittoria e quale fu il suo ruolo durante l'età vittoriana?
- Quali furono le principali riforme sociali e politiche durante l'età delle riforme?
- Cosa fu il movimento del Chartismo e quali furono le sue richieste?
- Quali furono le conseguenze della carestia delle patate in Irlanda?
La regina Vittoria era la nipote del re defunto, adottata come sua erede nel 1837 a soli 18 anni. Regnò per 64 anni, lasciando le decisioni al Parlamento ma rimanendo una figura importante. Sposò il principe Alberto e insieme furono un modello di rispettabilità.
Le principali riforme includevano il First Reform Act del 1832, che estese il diritto di voto alla classe media, il Factory Act del 1833 che regolava il lavoro minorile, e il Poor Law Amendment Act del 1834 che creò le workhouses per i poveri.
Il Chartismo fu un movimento della classe lavoratrice formatosi nel 1838, che chiedeva il suffragio universale maschile, il voto segreto e altre riforme elettorali. Nonostante il fallimento iniziale, il movimento fu costante nel tempo.
La carestia delle patate in Irlanda, causata da maltempo e malattie delle piante, portò a una grave povertà e molte morti. Molti irlandesi emigrarono in America in cerca di una vita migliore. Il Primo Ministro Sir Robert Peel abolì le Corn Laws nel 1846 per affrontare la crisi.
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