Victorian Age of England
1837- 1901
Age of Liberalism, Socialism,
Imperialism and Industrialization
House of Hanover
1760- 1820 George III
1820-1830 George IV
1830-1837 William IV
1837-1901 Victoria- one of the longest
reigns. The “sun never set on the British
Empire”
Movement from Constitutional monarchy
to true republic.
Reasons for reforms- early 19th century
Many laws to limit monarchical power but
no written constitution
Parliament developed over time
MP’s sat for unspecified time- new
elections only when called.
Whigs----- to Liberal Party
Tories----- to Conservative Party
Whigs come to power
Earl Grey- PM
Corn Laws- tariffs on imported grain which
benefits landowners keeps price of bread
high
Reform movement begins
Reforms under Earl Grey
Reform Bill -1832
No more “rotten boros”
Reduced property requirements to vote
Added representatives to Parliament for
Ireland and Scotland
These reforms not enough for liberals and
socialists
Chartist Movement- 1838-39
People’s Charter- liberal and socialist
attempt to bring about reform- 1M
signed it!!
Demanded universal male suffrage
Secret ballot
Equal electoral district
Annual elections
Elimination of property requirement for
MPs
Role of Woman in Chartists
Chartists-first political outlet for women
organized rallies
Created Chartist Sunday schools
Organized boycotts
Chartists rejected women’s issues to not
alienate additional support-said working
women emasculated men.
Chartists lose support
No support in Parliament for Chartists
Movement ends around 1848
Repeal of Corn Laws- 1846- moves
reforms to liberal political arena
However, Chartists demands for reform
fulfilled by end of 19th century –except for
women’s suffrage
Repeal of Corn Laws 1846
Middle class against landowners who were
called “bread taxing oligarchy”
Lowers price of bread
Shift in power from house of Lords to
House of Commons
Eliminated tariffs on foreign food; “corn
law” famines ; massive unemployment
Industrial development
Victorian Age height of British economic
dominance
England leading Europe in production
Technology represented in Expo 1846
Crystal palace
Disreali – Gladstone Rivalry
Disreali- Conservative- pro empire- reform
Gladstone- Liberal- Homerule for Irelandformation of Northern Ireland and Ulster
split 1920’s
Disraeli- Conservative
First Jewish Prime Minister
Continued reform acts
Second Reform Bill- 1867- increased male
suffrage by one million– criteria moves
from owning property to paying taxes
1872- introduced secret ballot
1884- Universal Male suffrage
1885- equal electoral districts
Disraeli - Conservative
Creation of empire in India
Purchase of Suez Canal from France
Support scramble for Africa- Imperialism
Cecil Rhodes- Rhodesia
Attends Congress of Berlin 1880
Gladstone- Liberal
Home rule Ireland
Social Reforms
1828- Repeal Test Act
New Poor Law- 1834- set up poor housesdid not solve poverty problem
Child Labor Law
5 Day Work Week
10 Hour Work day
Education Reforms
1832- money appropriated
1870- establish public education in all
districts
1902 Subsidy money for both publis and
Private institutions
Attitude toward Criminals
1800- born criminal- severe punishment
1835- deplorable prisonsAttitude changes middle of century
1861- reform penal code
Reduction of death penalty- not for
pickpockets anymore
Reduced whipping of women
Reduced imprisonment for debt