My name is Victoria and I have been Queen of England for over sixty-three years. I became queen in 1837 at eighteen years of age upon the death of my uncle, William IV, King of England. Because I have seen much during my long reign, I would like to take you on a short personal tour of my time as Queen. After my coronation in 1837, many people in England were not happy. Many people say that I have a rather strict and formal personality., a sharp temper, and a very stubborn attitude for getting done what I want done. To all of this I say. "Really"? These very qualities they dislike are absolutely necessary for a ruler to possess.
The first ten years or so of my reign were largely uneventful with the exception of a rebellion by individuals known as the Chartists (1842) who claimed to want election reforms to give common people the vote. It is unfortunate that these poor, uneducated people would do this. Quite obviously, they really don't know what is in their best interest.
In 1852, we had some trouble in Burma with the native peoples who didn't want to be part of our empire. This, I cannot understand. It is not plain to these foreign subjects that the British Empire is the best thing that could have happened to the,? We bring them civilization, modern medicine, Christianity and trade, and all we ask for in return is that they allow us to rule them and do what is best for them. Why they revolt against such a benign policy I cannot understand..
The next major trouble was in the Crimea in 1854. The Russians were trying to expand their empire at the expense of the Turks; we and the French had to step in and help the rather weak Turks against the Russians. We also didn't want the Russians getting too strong, so this action served us well in two ways.
The most ghastly event occurred in India in 1857, the Sepoy revolt or Indian Mutiny. During this time thousands of Indian troops in the English army revolted, attacked their white officers and any other English troops or white Europeans who were in India. The slaughter was horrible; these Sepoys butchered, with swords, thousands of innocent English women and children, not to mention the soldiers and men they killed. We sent troops in and crushed the revolt, killing most of the leaders, some of whom were hanged publicly and allowed to rot as a message to others who might consider another rebellion.
There have also been revolts and wars in Africa against the Ashanti (in 1873 and 1895) on the west coast of Africa and with the Zulus (1879) in South Africa. In both cases, we were attempting to bring order to our colonies there. In 1899, we entered a war against the Boers (Afrikaners) in South Africa that really upset me. These Dutch settlers wanted to form their won country in South Africa and refused to be a part of the English colony there. There wanted full rights to the mineral rich Transvaal. What made this war so upsetting was the ruthless guerilla war tactics used by the Boers, who after all, were white men, not savages.
The last major problem I have had was in China (1900) where a group of individuals wanted to expel and kill all Europeans there. These Boxers, as they were called, were supported by the Empress Dowager, and were finally defeated by a force of allied European nations from Germany, Italy, France, England, Russia and the United States. We were glad when it was over.
Not only have there been political events in our colonies but we also have attempted to help our people at home. We enacted the Mines Act of 1842 that forbade the employment of women and children in coal mines. We shortened the workday to ten hours, for six days a week and we established a Public Health Act in 1875 to improve sewers, water, and housing for the poor. We provided for increased public education through the Education Act of 1870. All of this was done to improve the position of the average Englishman.
Since I am now eight-one years, I will finish our tour because I have become tired; but I feel that I have done an excellent job as queen. The empire doubled in size during my reign and the people of the world are much better off because of it.
Event Notes about Events
1837
1842
1842
1852
1854
1857
1870
1873
1875
1879
1895
1899
1900
1901
By looking at Queen Victoria's life we have an overview of the 1800s. Events listed are those that occur inside England and those that occur within the British Empire, in the colonies.
Based on the reading, what do you think Queen Victoria's opinion is
of those who live in the colonies?
What do those people in the colonies do possibly as a result of those opinions?
Give some descriptive words that might describe Queen Victoria? These
are also words that might describe attitudes of the day of most of her
subjects?
Now tell what you think citizens of England may be experiencing during the 1800s.