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THE VICTORIAN AGE 1837-1901 - Coggle Diagram
THE VICTORIAN AGE 1837-1901
Science
:
Common ancestors
Natural selection
Adaptation to environment
Species change over time
Medicine
Limited research but foundations of modern medicine
Miasma theory, diseases caused by bad air / unhealthy environment
Medical practice often contradictory
Addiction and treatments
Widespread use of opium, cannabis, cocaine
Laudanum (by Paracelsus) → painkiller & sedative
Ineffective / toxic treatments → many deaths
Invasive practices → bloodletting, leeches, unclean tools
Coketown
.
Environmental Crisis
Climate Change
Extreme temperatures
Changes in rainfall
Melting glaciers & sea ice
Rising sea levels
+1°C since late 19th century
From Hard Times by Charles Dickens
Grey city, smoke, pollution
Uniform buildings → monotony & dehumanization
Industrialisation
Negative Effects
Alienation
Loss of individuality
Environmental damage
Irish Potato Famine (1845–1852)
Mass starvation - Diseas - Emigration
Causes
:
Population growth
Poverty & unfair land system
Dependence on potatoes
Immediate
consequences
:
1 million deaths
1–1.5 million emigrated
Long
term
effects:
Decline of Irish language & culture
Growth of Irish nationalism
Resentment toward Britain
Society
Social Classes
Upper class → Privilege, wealth
Middle class → Respectability
Working class → Poverty, hard labour
Women’s
Roles
Middle/Upper → Stay at home
Working-class → Work long hours, low wages
Child Labour
Why?
: income for families, employers preferred children
Conditions: cheap, obedient, small, 12–14 hrs/day,
Effects: disease, exhaustion, punishments, no education
Social Reforms
Gradual government intervention
Laws: Factory Acts, Mines Act (1842), Education Acts
Outcomes: reduced working hours, gradual compulsory education, slow improvement
Workhouses
Strict daily routine
Early start, manual/useless work
Small, monotonous meals, hunger common
Punishments for disobedience
Great Exhibition (1851)
Organized by
Prince Albert
Crystal Palace
Building created to host the exhibition
Cultural & architectural icon
Inspired future world exhibitions
Promoted international trade
Exhibits
Machines & industrial equipment
Technological innovations
Colonial & exotic products
Art & design
The British empire
Causes – Economic
Raw materials
Outlet markets
Capital investment
Support to British industry
Causes – Political
International prestige
Competition with other European powers
Causes – Ideological
“Civilizing mission”
Belief in European superiority
India
"The crown jewel"
Sepoy Revolt (1857)
Direct British control
Africa
Egypt → control of Suez Canal
South Africa → gold & diamonds