What was the political situation of the Victorian era?

Important political events during this period included the abolition of slavery in the British Empire; the expansions of the franchise; working-class political activism, most notably Chartism; the rise of liberalism as the dominant political ideology, especially of the middle class; and the nationalization of …

Why was the Victorian era so bad?

The Victorians, especially poor ones, were at high risk of catching some nasty diseases. Most of the common killers – measles, scarlet fever, smallpox and typhus – had blighted Britain for centuries.

Why is the Victorian era important today?

The period saw the British Empire grow to become the first global industrial power, producing much of the world’s coal, iron, steel and textiles. The Victorian era saw revolutionary breakthroughs in the arts and sciences, which shaped the world as we know it today.

What did people fear in the Victorian era?

The Victorian preoccupation with social class and the fear of overstepping social boundaries is also evident and is represented by Watson’s concerns about Miss Morstan’s potential inheritance. The character of Tonga represents a Victorian fear of otherness.

Was the Victorian era conservative?

Compared to France, the ancient enemy, Victorian Britain was politically conservative. Few things united the English middle and upper classes more than their hatred of revolutionary violence and upheaval. And unlike its European rivals, Britain managed to reform its political system without a revolution.

What was happening in America during the Victorian era?

Victorian values dominated American social life for much of the 19th century. The notion of separate spheres of life for men and women was commonplace. Women were becoming more educated, but upon graduation found themselves shut out of many professions. Immigrants had never been socialized in the Victorian mindset.

Why is the Victorian era creepy?

The Victorians were a little bit obsessed with death. Sounds messed up, but it makes sense when you consider the smorgasbord of diseases that stalked Victorians—measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, rubella, typhus, and cholera. That gave rise to the seriously creepy trend of death photography.

Are any Victorians still alive?

On Friday, the last Victorian in Britain died. Ethel Lang was 114 and the last person left in Britain born in the reign of Queen Victoria. She was born in Barnsley in 1900 when Victoria was old and sickly.

Was the Victorian era prudish?

But the image prevails, as does is the idea of Victorian society as prudish, covering table legs in case they offended, and refusing to countenance any reference to sex. …

When did Victorian era end?

June 20, 1837 – January 22, 1901
Victorian era/Periods

What was England’s greatest fear?

Another survey in 2014 showed a different picture. When YouGov asked Brits what they feared the most, the biggest phobia was acrophobia, which means fear of heights.

Why did the Victorians fear degeneration?

Yet instead of a future characterized by expanding knowledge, improving health and moral progress, a variety of Victorian commentators in the late nineteenth century began to fear the spectre of degeneration. It was a word filled with connotations of decline, decadence, deviancy, disruption, disarray, and pessimism.