The Victorian Age and the vote
Queen Victoria became queen in 1837, aged 18, and reigned until 1901 — almost 64 years. During her reign the British Empire grew to cover about a quarter of the world’s population (about 400 million people).
Britain moved towards free trade. The Corn Laws, which prevented the import of cheap grain, were repealed in 1846. In 1847 the number of hours women and children could work was limited to 10 hours per day.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an engineer who built the Great Western Railway, ships, tunnels and bridges, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. The Great Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park was held in the Crystal Palace.
In the Crimean War (1853–56) Britain fought with Turkey and France against Russia. The Victoria Cross was introduced to honour acts of bravery. Florence Nightingale treated soldiers and later founded the Nightingale Training School for nurses at St Thomas’ Hospital (1860). She is regarded as the founder of modern nursing.
In Ireland, the failure of the potato crop in the mid-1840s caused a famine; a million people died and many emigrated.
The Reform Act of 1832 increased the number of people with the right to vote and abolished “rotten boroughs”. Laws in 1870 and 1882 gave married women the right to keep their own earnings and property. Emmeline Pankhurst led the suffragettes. In 1918 women over 30 got the vote; in 1928 women got the vote at 21, the same age as men.
The Boer War (1899–1902) was fought in South Africa. Rudyard Kipling, born in India, wrote The Jungle Book and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907.
Key facts
- 1837–1901 — reign of Queen Victoria.
- 1846 — repeal of the Corn Laws.
- 1851 — Great Exhibition, Crystal Palace, Hyde Park.
- 1853–56 — Crimean War; Victoria Cross introduced; Florence Nightingale.
- 1918 — women over 30 can vote; 1928 — at 21, equal with men.
Important dates
| 1832 | Reform Act |
| 1837 | Victoria becomes queen |
| 1846 | Corn Laws repealed |
| 1851 | Great Exhibition |
| 1853–56 | Crimean War |
| 1918 | Women over 30 get the vote |
| 1928 | Women get the vote at 21 |
Important people
- Queen Victoria: Reigned 1837–1901.
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel: Engineer: Great Western Railway, Clifton Suspension Bridge.
- Florence Nightingale: Born in Italy in 1820; founder of modern nursing.
- Emmeline Pankhurst: Born in Manchester in 1858; leader of the suffragettes.
- Rudyard Kipling: Writer born in India in 1865; Nobel Prize 1907.
Memory tips
- Votes for women: “30 in ’18, 21 in ’28.”
- Brunel built for Bristol and the railways: “B for Brunel, Bridge, Bristol.”
Practice questions
1. When did Queen Victoria’s reign begin?
- 1801
- 1837
- 1851
- 1901
Show answer
Victoria became queen in 1837, aged 18, and reigned until 1901.
2. Approximately how long did Queen Victoria reign?
- About 30 years
- About 45 years
- Almost 64 years
- About 70 years
Show answer
Victoria reigned for almost 64 years, from 1837 to 1901.
3. Who built the Great Western Railway and the Clifton Suspension Bridge?
- George Stephenson
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel
- Thomas Telford
- James Watt
Show answer
Isambard Kingdom Brunel built the Great Western Railway and many tunnels, bridges and ships.
4. Where was the Great Exhibition of 1851 held?
- The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park
- Buckingham Palace
- The Tower of London
- Edinburgh Castle
Show answer
The Great Exhibition was held in the Crystal Palace, a huge glass building in Hyde Park.
5. Which medal was introduced during the Crimean War?
- The George Cross
- The Victoria Cross
- The Military Cross
- The Iron Cross
Show answer
The Victoria Cross was introduced during the Crimean War to honour acts of bravery.
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