Queen Victoria and Her Influence on British Society

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In the year 1819, one of Britain’s greatest monarchs was born. Her name was Alexandrina Victoria. (Price-Groff 13) She would be remembered for the young age at which she inherited the throne, but also for the confidence expressed in learning to master the techniques of ruling justly. When Victoria became Queen, England was already a constitutional monarchy. Government policies (laws) were made by the lawmakers and Prime Minister of Parliament, who were elected by the people. Because of the Industrial Revolution, the British experienced rapid progression in technology. This change was enjoyed by some, while others felt threatened. (4) Victoria made her subjects feel secure by assuring them she was there to lead. Queen Victoria demonstrated that a monarch who had a high level of prestige and who was prepared to master the details of political life could have a powerful influence on society. In the spring of 1819, Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born to Edward, Duke of Kent, and his wife, Victore Mary Louisa, (the duchess of Kent) Although the Princess was the only grandchild of King George III, most English citizens thought it very unlikely that she would ever become their queen; for three uncles and her father stood ahead of her in succession to the throne. Through a series of deaths, including her father’s, Victoria would eventually move to the head of the succession. (Kirwan 203) Victoria did not have the lifestyle one would think the heir to the British crown would have. Because Edward had died heavily in debt, the duchess and her daughter were not extremely wealthy. They were presented with a small grant from George IV, but that was the extent of their income. The duchess did not admire any ... ... middle of paper ... ...952 Kirwan, Anna. Victoria, May Blossom of Britannia New York: Scholastic, 2001 Price-Groff, Claire. Queen Victoria and Nineteenth Century England New York: Benchmark Books, 2003 Queen Victoria and the Crimea http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=139 The Official Website of the British Monarchy http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/KingsandQueensoftheUnited Kingdom/TheHanoverians/Victoria.aspx The Wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 1840 http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalCollectionandothercollections/TheRoyal Archives/QueenVictoriaeducationproject/TheweddingofQueenVictoriaand Prince Albert1840.aspx Victorian Station, Queen Victoria 1819-1901 http://www.victorianstation.com/queen/html

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