Queen Victoria reigned from 1837-1901. This was a time of
huge changes, not just in Great Britain, or even London, but
in Hackney too.
Britain had been through an industrial revolution; for
the first time things were mass produced in big factories
rather than handmade in workshops or at home. But the industrial
revolution had a negative side; terrible work conditions.
Some people, called ‘social reformers’, campaigned
to ease these terrible conditions, especially for children,
and also to generally help the poor.
Lots of people moved to Hackney during this time and loads
of houses were built. Before Victoria’s reign, in
1830, the area we know as Hackney was a series of villages
separated by fields; by the end of her reign it was almost
as built up as it is now. Many grand buildings such as Shoreditch
Town Hall were built as people celebrated this triumphant
age.
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D