1. what?
   1. period of time
      1. the most fascinating periods
      2. of industrial, scientific and technological progress
         1. 1803, the first steam locomotive
         2. 1814, the first permanent passenger service opened
         3. 1837, the telegraph is invented
         4. 1840, began the Penny Postal System
      3. of overcrowding, poverty and vices
2. when?
   1. 1837 - 1901
      1. Queen Victoria ascended to the throne
         1. 17 years old
      2. Queen Victoria died
      3. her reign lasted 64 years
3. why?
   1. Queen Victoria
      1. was born fifth in line for the crown
      2. married her cousin Albert
      3. had 9 children
      4. never liked the aristocracy
      5. restored the reputation of the monarchy
         1. the public likes the Royal family again
4. which reforms?
   1. social reforms
      1. 1837, Britain is the leader of the Industrial Revolution
         1. Britain is rich of coal and iron
      2. 1851, the urban population exceeds the rural population
         1. the urban population lives in poverty and with many social injustices (can't vote)
      3. 1867, Reform Bill
         1. is a law that extended the suffrage to the workers in town
      4. 1884, Second Reform Bill
         1. is a law that extended the suffrage to the workers in mine and agricultural workers
      5. 1870, the Education Act
         1. is a law that makes elementary education compusory
   2. economical reforms
      1. 1846, Corn Laws
         1. is a law that transform Britain from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy
            1. agricultural economy is dominated by landowners
            2. industrial economy is dominated by capital
      2. Free trade
         1. is the basis of a long economy boom
   3. political reforms
      1. there are 2 dominant political parties
         1. the Liberal Party
            1. guided by Gladstone
            2. he is prime minister four times
            3. interested in domestic affairs
            4. interested in political reforms
         2. the Conservative Party
            1. guided by Disraeli
            2. interested in foreign affairs
            3. interested in imperial policy
            4. believed in the British Empire