Victorian Era

Definition

The Victorian Era refers to the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901, characterized by significant industrial, cultural, political, and scientific changes in Britain. This time saw the emergence of a complex society with strict social norms, moral values, and a focus on family and domestic life, shaping the themes and aesthetics of various forms of historical and period dramas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Victorian Era was marked by rapid industrialization, which transformed Britain into the world's leading economic power and dramatically altered the social landscape.
2. This period saw significant advancements in science and technology, including innovations like the steam engine and telegraph, which impacted communication and transportation.
3. Victorian society was known for its strict moral codes, emphasizing modesty and propriety, especially in terms of gender roles and family dynamics.
4. The era also experienced notable literary achievements, with authors like Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy addressing social issues through their works.
5. The British Empire expanded significantly during this time, leading to increased global influence but also raising complex questions about colonialism and cultural imperialism.

Review Questions

• How did the Industrial Revolution influence societal norms during the Victorian Era?
  • The Industrial Revolution brought about dramatic changes in Victorian society by shifting populations from rural areas to urban centers for work. This led to new social classes emerging, particularly the industrial middle class, which began to shape societal norms. The economic prosperity that accompanied industrialization also pushed forward ideals around work ethic and progress, while simultaneously exposing issues like poverty and worker exploitation that later became central themes in literature and drama of the era.
• Discuss the impact of Victorian moral values on literature and art during this period.
  • Victorian moral values had a profound impact on literature and art of the time, emphasizing themes such as respectability, duty, and the importance of family. Writers often grappled with issues of social justice and individual rights against a backdrop of societal expectations. This moralistic lens shaped narratives that both celebrated and critiqued the era's rigid norms, as seen in the works of authors who used their stories to challenge prevailing attitudes towards gender roles, class structure, and ethical dilemmas.
• Evaluate how the expansion of the British Empire during the Victorian Era influenced both domestic policies and international relations.
  • The expansion of the British Empire during the Victorian Era significantly influenced both domestic policies and international relations by promoting a sense of national pride alongside notions of superiority over other cultures. This led to domestic policies that prioritized imperial interests and bolstered national identity. However, it also resulted in tensions both at home—over issues like class disparity—and abroad—through conflicts arising from colonial ambitions. These dynamics created a complex web of interactions that would shape global relations well into the 20th century.

Related terms

Industrial Revolution: A major turning point in history during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, marked by the transition from agrarian societies to industrialized and urban ones.

Social Darwinism: A societal theory that applied Darwin's ideas of natural selection to social, political, and economic issues, often justifying imperialism and class disparity during the Victorian Era.

Romanticism: An artistic and literary movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature, countering the rationalism of the Enlightenment and influencing Victorian literature.