<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901 . The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of France and continental Europe . In terms of moral sensibilities and political reforms, period began with the passage of the Reform Act 1832 . There was a strong religious drive for higher moral standards led by the nonconformist churches, such as the Methodist, and the Evangelical wing of the established Church of England . Moral standards improved very dramatically, especially for the middle class . The period was peaceful among the Great Powers, with only one mid-sized international war . Britain enjoyed strong naval superiority, leadership worldwide in manufacturing, finance, railways, shipping, and entrepreneurship . Britain embarked on global imperial expansion, particularly in Asia and Africa, which made the British Empire the largest empire in history . National self - confidence peaked . </P> <P> Ideologically, the Victorian era witnessed resistance to the rationalism that defined the Georgian period and an increasing turn towards romanticism and even mysticism with regard to religion, social values, and arts . </P>

How did the victorian era get its name