Victorian Era

The Victorian Era (1837–1901) refers to Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria (1819–1901). Her rule was one of the longest in British history. The Victorian period was one of the heights of British power and culture. Under Victorian rule, the British Empire grew to become one of the largest empires in history.

Queen Victoria ascended to the throne during a turbulent period of British history. Britain was still recovering from the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). Famine and unemployment were widespread. The British Empire's treasury, which was sorely taxed by its overseas wars, could not sustain the population.

The beginning of Victoria's reign was also marked by turmoil overseas. British interests in China and India had finally escalated into all-out...