Final answer:
In 1876, Queen Victoria was named Empress of India, marking the beginning of the British Raj and reflecting the significant British imperialism of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1876, Queen Victoria was named Empress of India. This significant title reflected the shift in control from the East India Company to direct British rule, following the suppression of the Sepoy Rebellion. As Empress, Victoria's rule encapsulated what is known as the British Raj, during which India was under the British crown, marking a period of heightened British imperialism and colonial expansion. The Victorian era, synonymous with Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901, saw various cultural and social reforms, embodying the era's characteristic class divisions, strict moral codes, and bourgeois norms.
During this time, Britain experienced enormous economic and political shifts, alongside advances in Victorian culture and learning. Queen Victoria's reign brought about substantial social reforms reflective of the era's values such as constitutional monarchy, the burgeoning bourgeoisie, and a desire for social stability that reinforced class structures through visible markers like clothing and etiquette.