Queen Victoria and the Victorian Era

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on Queen Victoria and the Victorian Era.

Queen Victoria

Ascended to the throne in 1837 at the age of 18 and ruled for 64 years, becoming a symbol of the Victorian Age.

Penny Postal System

A national postal system created during Queen Victoria’s reign, introducing the Penny Black postage stamp.

Chartist Movement

A movement in 1838 that demanded social reforms and voting rights for all adult men through the People’s Charter.

The Great Reform Act of 1832

Legislation that expanded voting rights to most middle-class men but excluded the working class.

Railway Mania

The period during which steam locomotive railways were rapidly constructed in Britain, starting with Stockton and Darlington in 1825.

The Great Exhibition

An 1851 exhibition showcasing Britain’s industrial power, held in the Crystal Palace to promote prosperity and innovation.

Victorian Workhouses

Institutions established under the 1834 Poor Law Amendment, notorious for poor conditions and forced labor.

Victorian Compromise

A societal agreement during the Victorian period characterized by contradictions between wealth and poverty.

Emmeline Pankhurst

A leader of the women's suffrage movement in the UK, advocating for women's rights and the right to vote.

British Museum

A significant cultural institution built in the Greek Revival style, established to be open to all and house vast collections of human history.

Buckingham Palace

The official royal residence in London established by Queen Victoria after her ascension in 1837.

Palm House at Kew Gardens

A Victorian glass and iron structure designed to house tropical plants, built between 1844 and 1848.

American Identity

The unique national character of the United States that developed through influences like Puritanism, the American Dream, and immigrant cultures.