Glencoe World History: Modern Times © 2011 Virginia Edition

The Empire of Queen Victoria

Introduction
The reign of Queen Victoria was a period of considerable social, economic, and political change for Great Britain. In this activity you will read about the circumstances under which Victoria came to the throne, about her life as queen, and about the changing nature of Great Britain during her lifetime.

Destination Title: Kings and Queens of the United Kingdom

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Directions

• Read the information on the Web site about the reign of Queen Victoria.
• Take notes as you read.

Use the information you found to answer the following questions.

1			How old was Victoria when she became queen? How long did her reign last?
2			Great Britain had become a constitutional monarchy shortly before Queen Victoria was crowned. How did this affect her reign?
3			What was Albert's role in Victoria's monarchy?
4			What happened to Victoria after the death of Albert?
5			The reign of Queen Victoria was marked by a dramatic transformation of England itself and of Great Britain as an empire. Rank in terms of historical significance Victoria's influence on these four categories: technology and industrialization, foreign policy, imperial prestige, and social improvements. Explain your rankings. Cite information from your reading to support each ranking.