Answer to Question #304830 in History for wed

Question

What political and economic factors redefined British society c. 1850s- c. 1890?

Answer 1

The period between 1850 up to around 1890 in the United Kingdom was referred to as The Victorian era because it roughly occurred the same time that Queen Victoria reigned 1837-1901).This period was majorly characterized by elements of social classes, population growth and economic boost. All this meant The Great Britain was becoming the most powerful empire.

This paper discusses economic and political factors that occurred during this period.

           They practiced a constitutional monarchy which was dominated by aristocrats. They had a written constitution but also had unwritten laws. At the top most leadership was two houses of parliament (House of Lords and House of Commons) in charge of legislation and the Monarch (executive).Monarchs included Queen Victoria, King George IV among others. The House of Commons was the Centre of government as the House of Lords lost power till the parliamentary act of 1911.These political changes gave rise to anarchy-voluntary people who believed in self-governance.

           Between 1820 and 1873 Britain had a rapid growth before being hit by a depression later only to recover between 1896 and 1914.During the economic growth a lot of people had to work overtime under harsh conditions, making the country very rich and hence improving the standards of living. The government owned lands as the communities shared them, this pushed poorer people to towns and cities. So many factories came up in the cities providing jobs for the former farmers, however they had to be trained. Soon enough overpopulation in the cities had depleted public facilities such as sewage and health.

           The terms capitalism, communism and socialism came up. Capitalism was a strategy where individuals who were well off owned machines, factories whereas in communism these properties were owned collectively. Socialism is when people have control over political and economic changes such as ownership of properties.