PHMC Late Victorian Period 1850 - 1910 (2024)

FAQs

What was the Victorian era in 1850 to 1900? ›

The Victorian Era in Britain was dominated by the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Although it was a peaceful and prosperous time, there were still issues within the social structure. The social classes of this era included the Upper class, Middle class, and lower class.

The Late Victorian Period covers the later half of the 19th century, for a portion of the true reign of Britain's Queen Victoria (1837-1901) for which this era is named.

We can divide Victorian Age into three periods: the Early period (1837-1848), the Middle period (1848-1870) and the Later period (1870-1901). The Early period was a time of great problems and civil unrest: industrial depression, poetry, starvation, child labor, unrepresentative Parliament and deadly diseases.

Historians have characterised the mid-Victorian era (1850–1870) as Britain's 'Golden Years', with national income per person increasing by half. This prosperity was driven by increased industrialisation, especially in textiles and machinery, along with exports to the empire and elsewhere.

The most familiar images of Victorian life are bleak indeed: impoverished children working long hours in factories and mines; blankets of smog suspended above overcrowded cities; frightening workhouses run by cruel governors; violent criminals lurking in the shadows.

These innovations had little significant impact on life expectancy, though, since most diseases remained incurable. Although Victorians who attained adulthood could expect to live into old age, average life expectancy at birth was low: in 1850 it was 40 for men and 42 for women.

We Americans also have another term, mostly in history books, which overlaps the earlier part of her reign called "the Gilded Age" but no one really uses that outside history class. It's absolutely appropriate to use "Victorian" in the US to refer to anything within that date range.

The key features of the late Victorian era include a persistent preoccupation with the Victorian age in postmodern consciousness, the establishment of neo-Victorian studies, and the significance of domesticity in Victorian society.

The homes of the poor were small, cold and damp and often infested with lice and vermin. Water would be collected from a dirty pump in the street and filthy outdoor toilets would be shared with dozens of neighbours. Stoves were new and expensive, so many homes didn't have any way of making hot meals.

So how did they deal with periods in the 1800s? In this era, menstrual belts became a thing. These cloth belts could be fastened to the underwear — like a modern-day pad — and the absorbent fabric would help catch much of the blood.

What is the Victorian era known for? ›

The Victorian era saw revolutionary breakthroughs in the arts and sciences, which shaped the world as we know it today. These transformations led to many social changes with the birth and spread of political movements, most notably socialism, liberalism and organised feminism.

Whether grasping the entire hand or just the fingers, Victorian etiquette seems to agree that the hand should be taken firmly and with a light pressure. After the initial grasp, the hand should be pressed gently and relinquished quietly. Eye contact during this brief exchange was also important.

The Gilded Age refers to the period in American history between the end of the Civil War and the turn of the 20th century. In other words, from around the 1870s–1900.

The September 18, 1850, Fugitive Slave Act provides for the return of slaves brought to free states. Millard Fillmore is sworn into office as the 13th President of the United States, following Zachary Taylor's death on July 9, 1850. "America" wins the first America's Cup yacht race on August 22, 1851.

In the United States, the decade of the 1850s was a time of land expansion, increased immigration, and rising tension over the issue of slavery.

The Victorian era spans the 63 years of Queen Victoria's reign over Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death in 1901. It was a time of great power and wealth for Britain as it expanded its empire across the globe.

The Victorian era saw revolutionary breakthroughs in the arts and sciences, which shaped the world as we know it today. These transformations led to many social changes with the birth and spread of political movements, most notably socialism, liberalism and organised feminism.

The period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 1837 until her death in 1901 was marked by sweeping progress and ingenuity.