QUEEN VICTORIA
Victoria became queen at the age of eighteen in 1837 and ruled for nearly 64 years, providing stability to
her country. Her sense of duty made her the ideal head of a constitutional monarchy.
Victoria and Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married in 1840 and had nine children and their family life
provided a model of respectability. In 1857 Victoria gave Albert the title of Prince Consort, in recognition of
his importance to the country. Albert supported the reform, but in December 1861 he died suddenly at the
age of 42.
In memory of her husband, she had the Albert Memorial built in London (1876).
AN AGE OF REFORMS
The 1830s had seen the beginning of what was to be called an age of reform
· 1832 The First Reform Act = voting privileges extended to the large industrial towns.
· 1833 The Factory Act = prevented children from being employed more than 48 hours a week.
· 1834 The Poor Law Amendment Act = workhouses became a deterrent against poverty.
· 1846 Abolition of the Corn Laws.
· 1867 The Second Reform Act = voting privileges extended to part of the urban male workers.
· 1872 Ballot Act = introduction of the secret ballot.
WORKHOUSE
Workhouses were places where, often in return for board and lodging, employment was provided for:
the poor;
the orphans;
the physically and mentally sick;
the disabled;
the elderly;
unmarried mothers.
The porpuse of the workhouses was to inspire the poor to a better life.
in the workhouses families were split up; could meet during meals or in the chapel but they couldn't talk to
each other.
The official diets were so meagre that they were described as a slow process of starvation.
CHARTISM
In 1838 a group of working-class radicals, drew up a People’s Charter demanding:
· universal male suffrage
· equal electoral districts
· voting by secret ballot
· pay for Members of Parliament
· annual elections of Parliament
