The Gothic Revival style dominated architecture, with figures like Augustus Pugin influencing the design of the Houses of Parliament. Meanwhile, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, including artists like Dante Gabriel Rossetti and John Everett Millais, created works that sought to return to medieval and early Renaissance ideals in art.
Intellectually, the Victorian period was shaped by debates about religion, science, and morality. The publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in 1859 had a profound impact on both the scientific community and religious institutions, challenging traditional views of creation and sparking debates about evolution and the role of science in society.
The Victorians were also deeply concerned with social and moral values, often emphasizing ideals of duty, honor, and respectability. This created a paradox, as the era’s emphasis on outward propriety often concealed the underlying social problems and inequalities that were prevalent.
The End of the Victorian Era
The Victorian Era came to an end with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, marking the start of the Edwardian period. Her death symbolized the end of an age of rigid moral standards and the onset of a new, more modern era in Britain. The century of rapid progress had brought both technological marvels and deep social contradictions, and while Victorian Britain was defined by its accomplishments, it was also a time of immense change and upheaval.
Conclusion
The Victorian Era was a time of unprecedented change and development, shaping the modern world in many ways. From the expansion of the British Empire to the technological and industrial revolutions, the period had a profound impact on social, political, and economic structures. The era’s emphasis on duty, family, and morality, combined with its technological and imperial achievements, left a lasting legacy that continues to influence British society and the world at large today. shutdown123