Concetti Chiave
- The Victorian Era, from 1837 to 1901, was a period of economic prominence for Britain, marked by industrialization and social change.
- Parliamentary reforms during this era improved working conditions and extended voting rights, though living conditions remained harsh for many.
- The British Empire's expansion during the Victorian Era covered over a quarter of the Earth, fostering new markets and resources but also causing international tensions.
- Victorian society was defined by strong moral values, with the royal family and middle class emphasizing virtues and respectability.
- Scientific advancements, like Darwin's theories, challenged religious beliefs, while progress in industry and arts highlighted the era's dynamic nature.
The Victorian Era
This flourishing period lasted form 1837 to 1901, it corresponds to the reign of Queen Victoria, Britain emerged as the main centre of European and International economy. Conventionally, it can be divided into three phases:
1. Early Victorian Period (1832-1848), characterized by intense industrialisation and social conflicts;
2. Mid Victorian Period (1848-1870), focused on prosperity and the undeniably fundamental roll of the middle class;
3. Late Victorian Period (1870-1901), where a clear decline is noticeable;
Parliamentary Reforms
The parliament was distinguished by the alternation of Whigs as the liberals and the Tories as the conservatives. They both contributed to the improvement of the working class conditions: women and children were forbidden in mines and the working hours were reduced. The Reform bill of 1832 allowed the middle class to be represented in the parliament, the reform bill of 1867 provided the right to vote to lower classes and recognised trade unions, the reform bill of 1884 gave the right to vote to rural working classes. However, life conditions did not change at all, they were forced to live in slums where hygiene and privacy were optional, when families became destitute, they were moved in working houses.
Expansion of the British Empire
The British empire kept expanding and covered more than a quarter of the Earth, its colonies were useful because they brought new job opportunities, new markets and new raw materials. Britain appeared to fell the right to invade violently whatever area, often causing tensions such as the war of Crimea. The Victorian society was characterized by:
• Morality, the royal family was en emblem of fair virtues portrayed throughout respectful behaviour like courtesy, comity and intellectual narrowness. The middle class was instead displayed for their respectability through carriage, servants stable jobs, charity and faith in the church.
• Religious feeling, the theories exposed by Darwin in "The origin of the species" and "Descent of man" where he states that God was not the one who created Earth, had everyone shocked and overturned.
• Acts and progress, Britain adopted the laissez-faire, in which material success was regarded as a moral rectitude, a sign from God. Hence, the progress played an important role on one hand with the cotton and wool industry, the improvement of means of transport and penny post. On the other hand a lot more importance was given to the arts such ad photography, but also electricity and the great exhibition in the
Domande da interrogazione
- What were the key phases of the Victorian Era and their characteristics?
- How did parliamentary reforms impact the working class during the Victorian Era?
- What role did the British Empire's expansion play during the Victorian Era?
- How did Victorian society reflect its values and beliefs?
The Victorian Era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, is divided into three phases: the Early Victorian Period (1832-1848) marked by industrialization and social conflicts, the Mid Victorian Period (1848-1870) characterized by prosperity and the rise of the middle class, and the Late Victorian Period (1870-1901) noted for its decline.
Parliamentary reforms during the Victorian Era improved working conditions by banning women and children from mines and reducing working hours. Key reforms included the 1832 Reform Bill allowing middle-class representation, the 1867 Reform Bill granting voting rights to lower classes and recognizing trade unions, and the 1884 Reform Bill extending voting rights to rural working classes.
The expansion of the British Empire during the Victorian Era covered over a quarter of the Earth, providing new job opportunities, markets, and raw materials. This expansion often led to tensions, exemplified by conflicts like the Crimean War, as Britain felt entitled to invade various regions.
Victorian society was characterized by a strong sense of morality, with the royal family exemplifying virtues like courtesy and comity. The middle class demonstrated respectability through stable jobs and charity. Religious beliefs were challenged by Darwin's theories, while material success was seen as moral rectitude, influencing progress in industries and the arts.
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