Sintesi sull’Era Vittoriana, Schemi e mappe concettuali di Inglese

Scarica Sintesi sull’Era Vittoriana e più Schemi e mappe concettuali in PDF di Inglese solo su Docsity! THE VICTORIAN AGE (1832-1901) Was a period of dramatic change that led England to its highest point of development as a world power. There was: progress, wealth, order, stability vs poverty, injustice, social unrest HISTORICAL CONTEST Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901) ● Longest reign in English history ● Period of material progress •imperial expansion •political and constitutional development HOME POLICY: Political and Social Reforms FOREIGN POLICY: colonialism + imperialism QUEEN VICTORIA - worked for the peace and prosperity of her country - was able to reduce conflict on constitutional matters - reigned with a costitution - played a more active role - became a mediator above political parties - was a model for her people: she had an exemplary family life, and a respectable code of behaviour (Victorianism) -was loved especially by the middle class who shared her moral and religious POLITICAL and SOCIAL REFORMS 1832 – First Reform Act 1833 – Factory Act 1834 – Poor Law Amendment Act 1838 – the People’s Charter (Chartism) 1842 – Mines’ Act 1847 – Ten Hours’ Act 1867 – Second Reform Act 1872 – Ballot Act 1870 – Elementary Education Act 1875 – Public Health Act 1884 – Third Reform Act 1880-1900 – Fabian Society Women’s Social and Political Union (Suffragettes) HISTORICAL CONTEXT-HOME POLICY Britain was a model of industrial success, individual freedom and constitutional government. Upper and industrial middle-classes believed in a policy of “laissez-faire” that means: non-interference with industry or with national economy to promote free trade and free competition (=Liberalism) There was great positive outcomes : •triumph of industry (steam engine,trains, iron industry) •scientific progress (electricity, telegraph, gas-lighting, medicine) ex.first railway But also negative outcomes…… •a time of troubles •unemployment, poverty, (slums, workhouses) •terrible working and living conditions •bad sanitation •social disorder , rioting, violence THE BRITISH EMPIRE [ Imperialism = territorial expansion ] During the Victorian Age the British Empire reached its largest extension: it was called “the Empire where the sun never sets ”. British Imperial power was sustained by: •Protection of British trade routes and interests against other nations; to gain new territories •The belief in the excellence of English culture and institutions •Nationalistic spirit, excessive patriotism influenced by ideas of racial superiority HISTORICAL CONTEXT-FOREIGN POLICY 1839-1842 Opium War against China 1853-1856 Crimean War 1857 Indian Mutiny 1877 Queen Victoria was named “Empress of India” 1882 occupation of Egypt 1884 invasion of Sudan 1899-1902 Boers’ War HISTORICAL CONTEXT-FOREIGN POLICY During the Victorian age most British citizens believed in their right to an empire and thought that imperial expansion would absorb excess goods, capital and population. They were also extremely proud of their empire and of spreading their civilisation and culture to every corner of the globe (Jingoism = aggressive patriotism) (colonial expansion was seen as a mission). Britain discovered that every conquered area or land had new dangers that had to be controlled or stopped. The British became aware of the immense human, economic and political costs of running an empire. Ad a consequence, there was a contradiction between the imperial ambition and the liberal ideas of Britain, that led to the collapse of the British Empire in the 20th century. SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT •Urbanization = Britain became a nation of town inhabitants •Extraordinary industrial development •Overcrowding (sovraffollamento). •Poverty = terrible living conditions in slums, disease, bad sanitation, crime,high death rate •Terrible working conditions polluted atmosphere, lack of food and hygiene, disatrous effects on health especially on children VICTORIAN COMPROMISE (socio-cultural context) A set code of moral values that explained the general tendency to be excessively puritanical and to avoid taking definite positions. A rigid code of values that reflected the world based on: • Duty + hard work (Material progress + wealth emerge from hard work) • Appearance was very important (formal clothes) • Respectability = a mixture of both morality and hypocrisy, severity and conformity to social standards (good manners, regular church attendance, charitable activity, comfortable house) middle classes ≠ lower classes • Philanthropy = charitable activity addressed to every kind of poverty, involving many people especially women. • Victorian family = (pathriarcal) where the husband was dominant and the wife was submissive • Patriotism