VICTORIAN AGE

(1837-1901)

- Victoria went to the throne when she was 18. She was married to the Saxon
Prince Albert. They had 9 children and they represented a model of stability
and respectability for the whole country.
- There was a series of acts reforming the working hours and working
conditions: 10 HOURS ACT: 10 hours established as a maximum, POOR
AMENDMENT ACT: it established the building of workhouses for poor
people.
- During this period puritan virtues of hard work, abstinence from alcohol, sex,
duty and thrift were stressed. These became the strongholds of society.
- Life conditions, even if not good, improved and that’s why revolution was
avoided.
- In 1854 they started to build the London Underground and several railways
that improved the possibility of moving and carrying goods.
- This was a period of prosperity also thanks to the colonies scattered all around
the world and which provided raw materials for England.
- British ships controlled most of the European trade. They were a fundamental
source of wealth.
- Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rhodesia, Malawi, Botswana, India,
South Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ireland were all English colonies.
- In 1863 the London Underground opened and in 1851 there was a Great
Exhibition in Crystal Palace: a huge display of inventions, technological
progress and new manufacturing goods.
- Trade Unions were legalized in 1871
- Elementary Education act 1870: elementary education became compulsory.