Developments in Victorian Era

Submitted by: Rahima
masood
Department: BS English
Subhject: History of english

literature
Submitted to: Sir Qadir
Topic:
"Development of victorian
era"
The Victorian era:
The 19th century was one of rapid
development and change, far
swifter than in previous centuries.
During this period England changed
from a rural, agricultural country to
an urban, industrialised one. This
involved massive dislocation and
radically altered the nature of
society. It took many years for both
government and people to adjust to
the new conditions.
Strictly speaking, the Victorian era

began in 1837 and ended with
Queen Victoria's death in 1901, but
the period can be stretched to
include the years both before and
after these dates, roughly from the
Napoleonic Wars until the outbreak
of World War I in 1914 ..
Key themes and

developments
Over the period there were changes
and developments in every sphere
of life. Key themes include the
following:
The industrial revolution:
This was made up of technological,
scientific and industrial innovations
(e.g. mass production, steam
engines, railways, sewing machines,
gas and electric light, the telegraph)
that led to an enormous expansion
of production, particularly through
the factory system. There were huge
social costs: the dehumanisation of
work, child labour, pollution, and
the growth of cities where poverty,
filth and disease flourished. Child
labour and poverty were also a
feature of rural life, where farm
work involved long hours, very low
pay and exposure to all weathers .
Population growth and

migration:
Between 1801 and 1871 alone the
population of the UK doubled.
Migration in both directions was a
feature of Victorian life. Many
Britons left the UK for North
America or the colonies in search of
a better life. The Irish poor formed a
large number of these migrants,
especially after the Irish potato
famine in 1845: the Irish moved in
large numbers to England and
Scotland, as well as abroad. Within
the UK as a whole, people moved
from the countryside into the new
industrial cities to find work.
Migrants from across the world also
settled in Britain, notably Jews from
Europe and Russia .
Social reforms:
As a result of early campaigns by
people such as Michael Sadler and
the Earl of Shaftesbury, and reports
by parliamentary commissions,
legislation protecting child and adult
workers began to be enacted.
Important reforms included
legislation on child labour, safety in
mines and factories, public health,
the end of slavery in the British
Empire, and education (by 1880
education was compulsory for all
children up to the age of 10). There
was also prison reform and the
establishment of the police
The rise of the middle
classes:
Society was hierarchical, yet there
was much social and geographical
mobility. Self-made entrepreneurs
used their new wealth to rise in
society, building large houses,
educating their children and
employing domestic servants (by
the 1880s 1.25 million people were
employed in domestic service –
more than in any other work
category).
The growth of democracy:
The franchise was gradually
extended to the working classes,
until by 1918 there was universal
suffrage for men. The fight for votes
for women was in full swing, but it
was not until 1930 that women
achieved the same voting rights as
men.
Expansion of Empire:
Before the start of the 19th century
Britain had already lost her
American Empire, and was acquiring
another in India. Her accumulation
of additional territory across the
globe continued steadily. The Great
Exhibition of 1851 displayed the
wonders of both industry and
Empire. Tied up with the Empire
were Britain's trading dominance,
naval and military strength, and
competition for territory against
other European nations. By the end
of Victoria's reign imperialists could
boast that the sun never set upon
the British Empire.
Idealisation of the family:

The ideal of family – respectable
and loving – dominated the
Victorian period. The cult of the
home grew steadily, with Queen
Victoria and her family providing a
role model for the nation. Women
were expected to stay at home and
bring up the family, but the reality
for many poor families was that
women had to work; and many
single middle-class women also had
to work.
The growth of leisure

pursuits:
The 19th century saw the beginning
of mass leisure: seaside holidays,
religious activities, and the
development of public parks,
museums, libraries, spectator
sports, theatres and music halls.
Teaching the Victorians:

For this period we have the voices
of those not often heard: the poor,
women and children, giving us a real
insight into their thoughts and daily
lives. The pictures and words of
children working in mines and
factories, recorded by parliamentary
commissioners, are particularly
evocative.
Indeed, the whole period abounds
in rich sources: buildings, canals,
railways, documents (including
statistics, censuses, trade
directories, parish registers,
evidence to parliamentary
commissions), pictures, objects and
music.
__________________________

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Developments in Victorian Era

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Submitted by: Rahima

Subhject: History of english

Submitted to: Sir Qadir

Strictly speaking, the Victorian era

Key themes and

Population growth and

Idealisation of the family:

The growth of leisure

Teaching the Victorians:

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