The Victorian Age
A global power1714 to 1901
A new era began when Queen Victoria became queen of the United Kingdom in 1837, opening a reign long enough to give its name to the whole period that followed: the Victorian age. Industry and trade grew fast in this period, and government policy gradually shifted toward free trade. The repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 was part of that shift, ending the block on importing cheap grain.
By 1851, British industry and manufacturing had grown enough to be shown off to the world: the Great Exhibition opened that year, putting British and international goods on display and showcasing just how far industrial Britain had come since Victoria's reign began.
That confidence was tested abroad soon after. The start of the Crimean War came in 1853, with Britain fighting alongside allies against Russia. The following year, in 1854, Florence Nightingale went to Turkey to nurse the soldiers wounded in that war, and her work there went on to reshape how the sick and injured were cared for.
What to remember
| The repealing of the Corn Laws | 1846 Ended protection on grain imports, letting cheaper raw materials fuel British industry. |
|---|---|
| The start of the Crimean War | 1853 Britain, Turkey and France against Russia. It was the first war the newspapers covered closely. |
| The Great Exhibition | 1851 Showcased British and world industry in a purpose-built glass and steel hall. |
| Queen Victoria becoming queen of the UK | 1837 Began a 64-year reign, the longest of any British monarch up to 2013, naming the Victorian Age. |
| Florence Nightingale going to Turkey to nurse soldiers | 1854 She and her fellow nurses cut the mortality rate in military hospitals during the Crimean War. |
| Became queen of the UK in 1837 | Queen Victoria |
|---|---|
| Went to Turkey in 1854 to nurse soldiers | Florence Nightingale |
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