--L'ETA' VITTORIANA--, Appunti di Inglese

Scarica --L'ETA' VITTORIANA-- e più Appunti in PDF di Inglese solo su Docsity! THE VICTORIAN AGE Queen Victoria took the throne in 1837 and her reign lasted 64 years, the longest in British history. Queen Victoria reigned but did not rule. The CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY was firmly established. The early years of Victoria’s reign were a period of social reforms and political developments and imperial expansion. During these years, there was a strong labor movement calling for social reform. In 1832 the Great Reform Act extended the vote to almost all male members of the middle classes, but not to the working class. The Chartism movement played an important role, elaborating the "People’s Charter of 1838", which required social reforms and the extension of the right to vote to all adult males. Other social reforms that regulated factory life followed, such as the Ten Hours Act of 1847, which limited working hours to ten per day for all workers. At the political level, the two main parties were the liberals, formed mainly by the former Whigs, and the conservatives, who evolved from the old Tories. The Liberals promoted a strong free trade campaign that led to the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. These laws kept the price of corn high to protect the interests of landowners. Some products were contaminated and there was famine and numerous deaths.The development of the middle classes was also helped by the remarkable scientific and technological developments.In foreign policy, this was a period of great expansion in trade. The most important and lucrative area of influence for Britain was undoubtedly India. A dangerous crisis occurred in 1857 with the so-called Indian mutiny, when Indian soldiers rebelled against their British commanders. The revolt was against the government of the British East India Company.The East India Company was dissolved and India was administered directly by the British government. Key facts: ● The House of Commons is the real ruling power and the Prime Minister the leader of the country. ● Victoria had a great influence on people: she became a symbol of simplicity, devotion and honesty together with his husband, Prince Albert → model of respectability. ● It was an age of scientific progress and social reforms. ● During the Victorian Age the British Empire achieved its greatest expansion. The 1830s was an age of reforms: ● 1832 The first Reform act or Great Reform Act → transferred voting privileges to the large industrial towns. ● 1833 Factory Act → prevented children aged 9 to 13 from being employed more than 48 hours a week, and no person between 13-18 could work more than 72 hours. ● 1834 The Poor Law Amendment Act → Creation of workhouses, institutions where the poor received lodging in return for work. Workhouses were however too rigid. The people had to wear uniforms, the families were split, frugality, duty (awareness: such a dreadful life should inspire the poor to improve → Puritan view). The early years of the Victorian era were marked by social hardship, economic upheaval and conflict. ● The Reform Bill of 1832, which granted the right to vote only to those who had property titles, while the working class had no political representation. ● This led to the CHARTIST MOVEMENT in 1837. ● A group of working-class radicals who called for equal electoral districts,universal male suffrage, secret ballot, annual elections. ● In 1839 the Parliament rejected the Charter and this caused unrest. ● 1867 Second Reform Law exempted part of the urban male working class in England and Wales. ● 1872 Ballot Act secret voting was introduced. Technological progress: ● Second wave of industrialization, economic, cultural and architectural change. ● 1851 GREAT EXHIBITION, organized at the Crystal Palace, a huge building in glass and steel designed by Sir Joseph Paxton to show the industrial and economic power of Britain. Symbol of national pride and optimistic faith but also of imperialism. ● The money was invested in museums. ● 1860 The London Underground transported raw materials and products quickly and cheaply. ● Travel for leisure time. ● Introduction of water and gas. THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR 1861-1865 - The first half of the nineteenth century in America was characterized by economic expansion, social change, impulse towards scientific discovery and inventions. The political situation was tense due to economic differences between the northern and southern regions.Industries were concentrated in the north, while the south was still based on tobacco and cotton plantations and slavery. In 1860 Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election. Shortly thereafter, 11 southern states separated and formed the Confederate States of America, under the presidency of Jefferson Davis. The Civil War broke out in 1861 and lasted four years.In 1865, Lincoln was assassinated by a Southern fanatic. The abolition of slavery was sanctioned by the 13 Amendment to the Constitution in 1865, but did not grant blacks equality and economic security. By the mid-19th century, Britain had become a strong nation due to its industrial development. The second wave of the Industrial Revolution brought about many changes: in particular, half of the British