-
Period: to
British History 1830-1850
-
king William IV
King George IV of England died and William IV ascended the throne.
William was 64 years old when crowned king due to the death of his brother's only daughter Princess Charlotte. www.britroyals.com/kings.asp?id=william4 -
victoria Comes to the Throne
Victoria became Queen at the age of 18 after the death of William IV. Her reign of over 60 years was a time of change that saw the expansion of industrial power as well as the British empire. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml -
The 1838 Reform Act
Only 10% of british adult males were eligible to vote before the 1838 Reform Act. The People's Charter advocated democratic reform on the basis of six points. This reform increased the proportion of eligible voters in England and Wales to 18% and 12% in Scotland. However the poor remained voiceless. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml
http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/21cc/struggle/chartists1/introduction/historyofchartism.html -
The End of Slavary in the British Empire
Britian no longer needed slave-based goods when the industrial revolution took off in the 18th centry.Over 700,000 slaves were set free in the British Caribbean after a period of 'apprenticeship' that started in 1834. http://abolition.e2bn.org/slavery_111.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml -
The Start of the Railway Boom
The Londan-Birmingham railway line opens with the completion of the Kilsby Tunnel. The 112-mile line connects London to the Midlands for the first time, and is the first of the great railway booms. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml -
Uniform Postage Rate Introduced
In 1837, Rowland Hill proposed a uniform post rate of one penny. Three years later his proposal was implemented. During the next ten years the volume of letters sent in Britain increased to almost 350 million a year perhaps because before the 'penny post' was implemented the system was expensive and complexed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml -
Vaccination for the Poor
At the expense of ratepayers, the poor recieved vaccinations, however, in 1898 parents were allowed an exemption for their children on grounds of conscience. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml -
Income Tax is Introduced for the First Time During Peace
Britain indroduced the first income tax in 1798 during the Napoleanic Wars. The tax money was used to purchase men and weapons for fighting. The tax was repealed after the end of The Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Then in 1842, Sir Robert Peel reintroduced the income tax and is still in use today. http://www.peacetaxseven.com/history.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml -
The Irish Potato Famine
In September of 1845, potato crops all over Ireland began to rot and the people lost approximately 60% of the nation's food needs. An estimated 1 million people died and another 1 million migrated during the four-year famine. YouTube video http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml -
Public Health Act
Edwin Chadwick was convinced that if the health of the poor were improved it would save money in the long run by having fewer people seeking poor relief. The Public Health Act was to improve urban conditions such as improved drainage and the provision of sewers. It provided clean drinking water and the appointment of a medical officer for each town. http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transforming
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml
