English Victorian Period

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Victorian Period (1830-1914) It lasted from the coronation of Queen Victoria until her death. General characteristics and Historical Context: The Victorian Age was an extremely diverse and complex period. It was a long period of peace and prosperity, with an unprecedented (unmatched) demographic increase, broad imperial expansion and a great political reform. There was a liberal political and economic system, which favored individual liberty, free trade and the no interference of government in social (affairs) matters. Many artistic styles, literary schools, social, political and religious movements flourished. Social classes: The upper class composition changed from simply aristocracy to a combination of nobility and an emerging wealthy commercial class. Conditions of the working class were extremely appalling (oppressing), also child labor was common throughout this period. Technological progress and inventions: There was a huge improvement of communication links: steam ships, railways, cars (facilitating trade and industry); cinema, telegraph, telephones, photography, among others. Scientific progress and ideologies: -Theory of Evolution (Darwin) - Historical study of the Bible - Technical and industrial advances in medicine Victorian Literature: Themes: Troubling social context was reflected in literature. During the 19th century Britain experienced a huge population increase, accompanied by a rapid urbanization, stimulated by the Industrial Revolution. The results were that: -large numbers of working people kept wages down to a barely subsistence level. -available housing was scarce and expensive, resulting in overcrowding. These problems were magnified in London, where the population grew at record rates. Large houses were turned into flats and slum housing developed. - child labor played a key role in the Industrial Revolution:
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