# William IV becomes king (1830)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1830-william-iv-becomes-king
Categories: ruler-change

William IV succeeded George IV. Within the broader Georgian Britain period, parliamentary government, industrialization, imperial expansion, war with France and political reform turned Britain into a global commercial and military power. This event is placed at 1830 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. His reign became closely associated with the political crisis that produced the Great Reform Act.

## Why it matters
His reign became closely associated with the political crisis that produced the Great Reform Act.

Ruler at the time: [William IV](https://english-history.com/rulers/william-iv)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — William IV becomes king](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=William+IV+becomes+king&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — William IV becomes king](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=William+IV+becomes+king)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281800%E2%80%931899%29)
- [The National Archives — empire and industry resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)