The Victorian Age: Empire and Social Contrast
The Victorian Age, spanning Queen Victoria's 60-year reign, represented a period of unprecedented British imperial power and dramatic social transformation. The middle class particularly admired Victoria for her moral leadership and parliamentary mediation between the Whigs and Tories.
Highlight: Britain's colonial expansion reached across Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, driven by a belief in British cultural superiority.
The era witnessed remarkable progress in multiple spheres:
Example: Medical advances included the establishment of professional organizations and modern hospitals, while social services expanded to include water systems, paved roads, and gas lighting.
Definition: The Victorian social hierarchy consisted of three main classes: the traditional aristocracy upperclass, the increasingly powerful middle class, and the politically disenfranchised working class.
Quote: "If you are poor, it's your fault" - this reflected the prevalent Victorian attitude toward poverty.