Victorian era: what it was, its stages and characteristics

We explain what the Victorian era was, how it was divided and its advances in politics and the arts. In addition, we explain its characteristics and innovations.

The Victorian era takes its name from Queen Victoria I, who ruled for 64 years.

What was the Victorian era?

The Victorian era or Victorian era was the period in the history of the United Kingdom of Great Britain that lasted approximately between 1820 and 1914. It was the time of greatest splendor of the British Empire and the rise of the Industrial Revolution. The period coincides for the most part with the reign of Victoria I (from 1837 to 1901) and that is why it is named after her.

The Victorian era of British history was a period of stability, also known as the Pax Britannica (British Peace). In this period, the influence of the United Kingdom grew and established itself as an industrial power on the international stage. In turn, internal political reforms prevented the outbreak of revolutions like those that took place in the rest of the European countries.

See also: Classical era

Politics in the Victorian era

The government of the British Empire took the form of a bicameral parliamentary monarchy.

During the Victorian era, the government of the British Empire took the form of a bicameral parliamentary monarchy, which included the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The kings who ruled the Empire in this period were George IV (1820-1830), William IV (1830-1837), Victoria I (1837-1901), Edward VII (1901-1910) and George V (1910-1936). Victoria I had the second longest reign in British history, and that is why she gives her name to this period.

Unlike the rest of the European countries, the United Kingdom did not experience political revolutions during the 19th century. This is because the government carried out political and labour reforms that prevented the outbreak of violent revolutions. Therefore, the Victorian era is considered a period of political stability linked to liberal reformism and the growth of the importance of the House of Commons.

Domestic policy was conducted in Parliament by the party of the Whig (the liberals) and the party of the Tory (Conservatives). Both parties produced important figures who served as Prime Minister during this period.

Among the most important political events of the Victorian era was the electoral reform of 1832, which modified the distribution of bands in Parliament and allowed the electoral participation of the bourgeoisie. Then, in 1867, a new reform broadened the electoral base, reducing the limitations on access to the vote for men.

Likewise, in the Victorian era there were also other reformist movements that focused on achieving improvements in the quality of life of the working classes, such as limiting the working day and wage increases, among other demands.

Other relevant political events were the abolition of slavery in 1833, both on English soil and in all the colonies that formed part of the empire, the growth of the feminist movement for women’s access to the vote, and the rise of liberalism as the dominant political ideology.

The economy in the Victorian era

Train stations from the late 19th century facilitated transportation and are still in use.

The economy of the Victorian era in the United Kingdom was marked by the development and evolution of the Industrial Revolution. Between 1820 and 1873, the United Kingdom became the richest country in the international community. In the 1870s and 1880s, it went through a brief economic crisis and then, from 1890, the British economy returned to moderate growth.

The expansion of the United Kingdom’s economy was an effect of the country’s industrialization, which focused on large-scale production in the textile, metallurgical and food industries. From 1840 onwards, growth multiplied.

The textile industry, for example, employed almost 40% of the industrial workforce in 1880, as a result of rapid mechanization in cotton and wool. Between 1840 and 1860, the British export rate was the highest in the period.

On the other hand, the railway revolution brought the different corners of the country closer, allowing the movement of materials and people over long distances in a short time. Thus, England went from being a rural country to an industrial power in just over sixty years, with enormous growth in the commercial, transport, mining and industrial sectors.

Society in Victorian times

During the Victorian era, society was marked by gender and class hierarchies. In terms of gender, Victorian society established that men and women fulfilled different functions, which were linked to biological issues. Men’s activities belonged to the public world, work and politics, while women were expected to take care of the private sphere, family well-being and the organization of domestic tasks.

On the other hand, British society was made up of 70-80% of the rural and urban wage-earning working class. In addition, there was a small professional middle class which grew to almost 25% of the population during the 19th century. The upper class, on the other hand, were landowners, deriving their wealth from their property, rents and interests, and monopolising control of national politics.

Culture in the Victorian era

Oscar Wilde was one of the most prominent authors of the Victorian era.

During the Victorian era, British culture grew as a result of greater access to and better distribution of artistic works. Advances in printing techniques led to the proliferation of magazines and newspapers, which could be purchased at increasingly cheaper prices. This, in turn, was accompanied by an increase in literacy, promoted by the creation of elementary schools by the State.

On the other hand, literary production was marked by the novel and melodrama. Major authors of the period included Charles Dickens, Emily Brontë, Lewis Carroll, HG Wells, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. His works portrayed colonial society, the political pressures of the time and social issues. Other works were marked by scientific fantasy and horror stories.

In addition, cultural spaces such as the music halls (music halls).

Architecture in the Victorian era

The Palace of Westminster was rebuilt in medieval style.

The architecture of the Victorian era saw a revival of the Gothic, which simultaneously expressed an interest in modernity and cultural continuity.

Among its most significant examples is the reconstruction of the Palace of Westminster, seriously damaged in 1834 by fire, which in the hands of Charles Barry was erected respecting the medieval principles of the intact portion of the building.

Science in the Victorian era

During the Victorian era, there were great advances in science in different areas. In medicine, the use of anesthesia and the first antiseptics, discovered in 1865 by Joseph Lister, became widespread. This allowed an increase in the survival rate of patients.

On the other hand, in 1859 Charles Darwin published his famous book The origin of specieswhich served as the basis for the subsequent development of the theory of evolution by different members of the scientific community. In his book, Darwin postulated the idea that species evolved over generations through the process of natural selection.

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References

• Ackermann, ME, Schroeder, MJ, et al. (2008). Victory. In Encyclopedia of World Historyvol IV: Age of Revolution and Empire. Facts on File.
• Cortés Salinas, C. (1985). Victorian England. Akal.
• Rizzi, A. and Raiter, B. (2008). Britain and the evolutionary path. A story to think about. Modern and contemporary. Capelusz.
• Steinbach, S. (2023). Victorian era. In Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/