The period between 1700 and 1900 was a time of significant transformation in British political history, marked by the consolidation of parliamentary democracy, the expansion of the British Empire, and a series of reforms that shaped modern Britain. The Act of Union 1707, which unified England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain, set the stage for a century that would see Britain emerge as a leading global power. This era was characterized by the rise of political parties, the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, which played pivotal roles in the political landscape, influencing policies and governance.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Britain underwent significant social, economic, and political changes. The Industrial Revolution, starting in the late 18th century, transformed the country from a primarily agrarian society into an industrial powerhouse. This period also saw the expansion of the British Empire, making Britain the world's leading colonial power. Politically, this era was marked by a series of reform acts, including the Great Reform Act of 1832, which expanded the electoral franchise and addressed the issue of parliamentary representation. Subsequent reforms in 1867 and 1884 further democratized the political system, laying the groundwork for the modern democratic state.
Key figures such as William Pitt the Younger, who became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783, and Queen Victoria, whose reign from 1837 to 1901 marked an era of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, were instrumental in shaping this period. The end of the 19th century also saw the rise of the Labour movement, setting the stage for the 20th century's political landscape. These pivotal developments, among others, highlight the dynamism and complexity of British political history during this transformative era.