Queen Victoria's Reign

  • Queen Victoria Takes The Thrown

    Princess Victoria takes the thrown as queen of Britain
  • Period: to

    Queen Victoria's Reign

    The Victorian era began with the succession of the throne by Queen Victoria where Britain entered a new time period.
  • The Bedchamber Crisis

    The first prime minister of Victoria’s reign was the Whig politician Lord Melbourne, with whom she enjoyed a remarkably close relationship. Melbourne held significant sway over the young queen, who appointed the majority of her ladies-in-waiting according to his advice.
  • Regency Act

    The act made Prince Albert regent if Victoria died before her heir was 18 years old, was passed by Parliament.
  • Queen Victoria Marries

    In October 1839 it was Victoria who proposed to Albert, and got married the following year.
  • The Royal Family Begins

    Just over nine months after their wedding, Victoria and Albert’s first child, Princess Victoria, was born.
  • Albert Edward

    Victoria’s son, Albert Edward, was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester.
  • Opium War Ends

    Britain defeated China in the Opium War and made China sign the Treaty of Nanking. Britain was given Hong Kong.
  • The Factory Act

    The Factory Act was an Act of Parliament which restricted the working hours of women and young persons in textile mills to 10 hours per day.
  • Relocation to Osborne

    Fearful that the revolution in France would spread to England, Victoria and her family moved to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight for safety.
  • Communist Manifesto Published

    Written by Karl Marx, the Communist Manifesto was published in 1848 making it one of the most influential political works.
  • Irish Famine

    Ireland suffered the Great Potato Famine when entire crops of potatoes were ruined. About 800,000 people died as a result of the famine. A large number of people migrated to Britain,and other places.
  • Workhouses

    Workhouses opened to try to help the lower class who had no money. Paid with a bed and basic food.
  • The Great Exhibition

    This celebration of art, science, trade and industry was opened by Queen Victoria at Crystal Palace, London.
  • Crimean War

    War broke out in the Crimea after Russia took control of Turkish-controlled Romania.
  • Crimean War Alliances

    Britain and France, fearing Russian expansion south, joined with Turkey to push the Russians back.
  • Treaty Of Paris

    Officially ended the Crimean War
  • British East India Company Transfers Control

    After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British East India Company dissolves and handed over control to the British crown.
  • First Transatlantic Cable

    Laid along the Atlantic Ocean, it provided near-instant communication between the two halves of the globe.
  • On The Origin

    Written by Charles Darwin, a revolutionary scientific work of its era which is still controversial to this day.
  • Liberal Prime Minister

    Henry Temple, Viscount Palmerston won the General Election and became Prime Minister of a Liberal government.
  • Prince Albert Dies

    Prince Albert died of Typhoid fever.
  • Bank Holiday

    Bank Holiday Act introduced, allowing banks to close a few days a year
  • Queen Victoria Becomes Empress of India

    Benjamin Disraeli pronounced her empress of India in a move to cement Britain’s link to the jewel in the empire’s crown
  • Education Act

    The Education Act makes compulsory schooling for all children between 5 and 10.
  • Minority Conservative Government

    Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury was elected Prime Minister of a minority Conservative government