The Union Flag
In 1801, Ireland became unified with England, Scotland and Wales after the act of union from year 1800 which created United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland.
The symbol of this union was a new union flag called Union Jack.
The Union Jack consists of three crosses: St George cross ( St George is a saint patron of England) – red cross on white ground; St Andrew cross (patron of Scotland) – diagonal white cross on blue ground and
St Patrick cross of Ireland – a diagonal red cross on a white ground.
An official Welsh flag shows Welsh Dragon which is not showed in Union Jack, but Wales is a part of England from year 1606.
The Victorian Age
Queen Victoria became queen in 1837, aged 18 and she reigned until 1901, almost 64 years.
Her reign in call a Victorian Age when British Empire grew stronger, middle classes became more prominent in society and many new reforms improved conditions of life for the poor.
The British Empire
During Victorian age, the British Empire expanded and became stronger and covered all of India, Australia and large parts of Africa.
It was the largest Empire ever and its population was more than 400 million people.
Between 1853 & 1913 around 13 million of British citizens left British isles an in same time many people from other parts of Europe arrived to Britain like 120000 of Polish and Russian Jews escaping
persecution. There were also Indians and Africans coming to live and study in Britain.
Trade and Industry
Britain continues to be a trading nation.
Many taxes were abolished and new laws created to make a trade easier like 1846 Corn Laws.
Working conditions in factories improved slowly.
In 1847 new law limited amount of working hours for women and children to 10 (are they kidding me?)
The housing also began to improve…( according to the Handbook but I still know about back to back houses with one toilet for 10 families and outside of the house).
Transport links were improved and people was able to travel more comfortably by system of railways built all around the Empire.
There were also great bridges built by British engineers as Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Brunel built also tunnels, railway lines and ships.
He designed Great Western Railway from Paddington in London to south west of England, West Midlands and Wales.
British industry was on top of world’s list producing huge amounts of iron, coal and cotton cloth.
Same with British banking system.
Victorian Britain was also famous for 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park where famous Crystal Palace was standing.
Goods from Britain and all over countries were presented there.
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