E X T E N S I O N VICTORIANISM The so called Victorian Age started when young Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom in 1837, at the age of eighteen, and lasted till 1901, the year of her death. Victoria was a strong and determined woman who well represented the values in which the British believed, that is, duty1, family and good manners2. Her long reign can be divided into three periods. In the first one, when she came Queen Victoria with Prince Arthur to the throne, she had to face a lot of (F. X. Winterhalter, 1850). difficulties for her country. In fact, the working class protested against their hard living conditions, claimed for the extension of the right to vote and other social reforms. This protest failed but it led to the birth of trade unions3 which, after a strong opposition from the Government, became legal in 1871 with The Trade Union Act. There followed a second period of important social reforms such as the Ten-Hour Act, which limited the working day of women and children, and of economic expansion and prosperity. The event which marked the supremacy of Britain and its progress was The Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace in London. Britain was also the greatest Empire, with colonies spread4 all over the world. The Victorians were very proud of it and they believed they were a superior race with a mission to civilise the pagan world. It was a period of great optimism, not only for the colonial expansion but also for scientific progress and the growth of industry. The last period of Victoria s reign saw the decline of the Empire. Two wars were fought in this age: the Crimean War (1853-56) between 1. duty: something that you should do as a legal or moral obligation. 2. good manners: accepted ways of behaving that show a polite respect for other people. 3. trade unions: organization of workers. 4. spread: present in many parts of a large area. 15