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Lord Melbourne and the Whigs, held power for much of this decade, passed many long-sought reforms, including slavery in British empires and the first restrictions on child labor in factories.

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During this period of growth and change, the number of the middle class grew, the lives of the workers, the upper class improved.

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Started a war with China led to the British takeover, also kept France out of Egypt and Russia out of Turkey.

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After the election, gradual reform continued, with new laws addressing safety in mines and factories.

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Devastating rains damaged England's wheat crop and allowed disease to wipe out Ireland's potato crop.

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Turkey threatened again, Great Britain joined the fight against Russia in the Crimean War.

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Albert died, Victoria mourned him for the rest of her life, withdrawing even more from government affairs.

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Secretly negotiated with the British for the government of a large stake in the newly completed Suez Canal in Egypt.

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Fascinated by the heroic exploits of his explorers, missionaries and empire builders in Africa and Asia, most British citizens also supported Disraeli's imperialism, although at the time of his death, that had faded.

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People patriorcally celebrated Victoria's golden jubilee, marking her 50th year of rule.

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British colonial expansion into Africa resulted in the Boer War, which boosted public patriotism and further weakened the anti-imperialist Liberal Party.

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A new Labor Party was formed, it would become a dominant political force in the new century, and the Boer War would be the prelude to the most devastating war of the modern era.