Queen Victoria's Empire

Personal accounts, lush re-enactments and evocative cinematography from former outposts of the Empire, including Africa and India, recount the dramatic clash of personalities and cultures that would drive Victoria’s remarkable 64-year reign.

Queen Victoria’s Empire is both the story of a queen who ruled over a fifth of the world’s population, and of influential men who would shape a distinctively British imperialism. Queen Victoria’s Empire airs in two parts Tuesday, June 19 and Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11).

Engines of Change/Passage to India, airing Tuesday, June 19 at 8 p.m. begins with the birth of Queen Victoria, and explores the changes brought to Britain by the industrial revolution.

The special concludes with The Moral Crusade/The Scramble for Africa, airing Tuesday, June 26 at 8 p.m. By 1861, Britain is the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth. However, the death of Prince Albert weakens Victoria, and many of his political ideals fade from importance.