Introduction to the Victorian Age
The Victorian era, also known as Victorianism, was a period in history marked by the reign of Queen
Victoria from 1837 to 1901. This era was characterized by significant political, social, and economic
changes that shaped the history of Britain.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria was born in 1819 and became the queen of Britain at the age of 18 after the death of
her uncle, William IV. She was a talented artist and writer, and was married to Prince Albert, a
German prince, with whom she had nine children. Queen Victoria was known for her strong
attachment to her husband and her strict adherence to traditional values.
The Victorian era was a time of great change and growth for Britain, marked by the expansion of the
British Empire and the growth of industry and trade.
The Political Stability
The long reign of Queen Victoria brought political stability to Britain, with no major changes in laws
and norms for 64 years. This stability allowed Britain to maintain its position as a powerful nation,
with political relations with other countries remaining relatively consistent.
Period Event Description
1837-1901
Empire
Reign of Queen Victoria Marked by political stability and expansion of the British
1837 Accession of Queen Victoria
William IV
Became queen at the age of 18 after the death of her uncle,
1901 Death of Queen Victoria
new era for Britain
Marked the end of the Victorian era and the beginning of a
The Strict Cultural Norms
Queen Victoria sought to purify Britain by establishing strict cultural norms related to people's
morals and identity. These norms were primarily aimed at the upper class and middle class, and were
characterized by:
Identity: defined by race, gender, and social class
Morals: taught from childhood and emphasized modesty, manners, and respect for tradition
Consumerism: the desire to acquire goods and status symbols to resemble a higher social class
Identity
The concept of identity during the Victorian era was defined by three main notions:
Race: the British believed themselves to be superior to other races
Gender: men and women had distinct roles and rights, with men expected to provide for their
families and women expected to manage the household
Social class: divided into upper class, middle class, and working class, each with its own distinct
characteristics and expectations Social Class
The social class system during the Victorian era was characterized by:
Upper class: the aristocracy, who were born into wealth and did not need to work
Middle class: professionals, such as lawyers and doctors, who were educated and owned property
Working class: the poor, who worked in difficult conditions to survive
Key Features of the Victorian Era
Some key features of the Victorian era include:
Industrialization: the growth of industry and trade, which brought significant economic changes to
Britain
Imperialism: the expansion of the British Empire, which brought Britain into contact with other
cultures and societies
Literary and artistic movements: the emergence of new literary and artistic movements, such as the
Gothic style and the works of Charles Dickens