1901. she took the throne on the death of her uncle ... › ... › victoriansfactcards.pdf · the...

Queen Victoria ruled from 1837 to 1901. She took the throne on the death of her uncle, William IV, when she was just eighteen years old. Her reign lasted for 64 years.

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In 1851, Prince Albert organised the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace to educate people about the amazing new inventions of the time.

The London sewer system was built between 1859 and 1868. Before that, cholera epidemics caused by contaminated drinking water killed thousands of people.


In 1839, the daguerreotype, an early form of photograph was introduced. Photographic techniques rapidly improved and soon wealthy Victorians began going to studios to have their pictures taken.

During Victoria's reign, Britain conquered many countries and formed the British Empire. The increase in trade made Britain a wealthy nation and goods from across the Empire were imported to Britain.


People in Victorian society belonged to different social classes; upper, middle and lower class. Life was very different for each class.

The upper classes were rich and lived in large, well furnished houses out of town. They employed servants, like maids, to look after the house and children.


The middle classes were people in professions (such as doctors) as well as shop keepers and factory owners. They lived in the suburbs and had servants to help run the household.

Life for poor people in Victorian times was extremely difficult. The slums they lived in were dirty, dark and overcrowded. There were no bathrooms. Children often had to go out to work.


The Public Health Act of 1875 improved living conditions for many poor people. Many of the old slums were pulled down and larger houses with adequate windows were built.

Children worked in factories, mills, coal mines and as chimney sweeps. They were paid less and they could do jobs in small spaces where adults could not fit!


In 1870, the Education Act was passed, meaning that children between the ages of 5 and 10 could attend school. At first parents had to pay, but in 1891 education became free for everyone.

Boys and girls were usually educated together in school, but they had different entrances and separate playgrounds. They also sat on opposite sides of the class.


Victorian teachers were very strict, and used the cane to smack children who did not behave. Other punishments included writing lines or wearing a Dunce's cap.

Many libraries and museums were built during the Victorian age, usually paid for by wealthy industrialists. They felt that education was very important and should be available to everyone.


Before the industrial revolution, many items were made in people's homes. Once machines were invented to make things more efficiently, factories were built.

The life expectancy of a wealthy person was 45 years old. However, a working class labourer had a life expectancy of 22, due to harsh working conditions and the prevalence of disease.


Many important inventions happened in the Victorian era, including Morse code (1837), rubber tyres (1845) and the telephone (1876).

When railways were first introduced, people were frightened to use them as they thought they were dangerous. Queen Victoria travelled by train in 1841 and soon rail travel was very popular.


During Victorian times, the prisons became so full that ships, known as prison hulks, had to be used to house prisoners.

1901. she took the throne on the death of her uncle ... › ... › victoriansfactcards.pdf · the...

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