Canadian History: The Victorian Era

Overview of the Victorian Era

• Time Period: 1837 - 1901
• Queen Victoria: Became queen at age 18 in 1837; ruled for 64 years until her death in 1901.
• Political Stability: Significant stability due to long reign; contrasts with frequent leadership changes in other nations (e.g., 7 kings in Germany, 18 presidents in the U.S.).
• British Empire Expansion:
  • The empire expanded across the Americas, South Africa, India, and Australia during her reign.
  • Key territorial acquisitions:
    • Western Canada
    • New Zealand
    • Southeast Asia, significant acquisitions in Africa

Key Beliefs of the Victorian Era

Identity

• Components: Race, Gender, Class
• Race:
  • Belief in a hierarchical structure (Great Chain of Being).
  • British people seen as superior; others (Africans, Asians, First Nations) ranked lower.
  • This racial hierarchy was deeply rooted in the society and influenced opportunities (jobs, property ownership, voting).

Gender

• Traditional Roles:
  • Women: Expected to stay in the home, raise children, and maintain household.
  • Men: Expected to engage in business and politics; considered the tougher sex.
• Social Restrictions:
  • Women could not go out alone; needed male accompaniment for protection.

Class

• Social Structure:
  • Upper Class: Wealthy, often aristocratic.
  • Middle Class: Professionals (lawyers, doctors, business owners).
  • Working Class: Low-paying jobs, struggling for basic needs.
• Distinctions:
  • Clear divisions in neighborhoods; social circles reflected class distinctions.

Cultural Norms

Morality

• Behavior Standards:
  • Strict rules of appropriate behavior, speech, and manners.
  • Desire to emulate upper class behaviors among lower classes; many guides published on etiquette.

Clothing

• Fashion Significance:
  • Elaborate clothing styles that covered much of the body were seen as moral indicators.
  • Women: Inappropriate to reveal ankles, wrists, or neck.
  • Men: Expected to dress conservatively (shirts, ties, vests, jackets).

Consumerism

• Display of Wealth:
  • Upper class aimed to distinguish themselves through expensive and exotic possessions.
  • Middle class attempted to mimic upper class lifestyle, leading to competitive buying.
  • Example: House in Montreal filled with exotic items to showcase wealth.

Conclusion

• The Victorian Era was marked by strict social norms based on race, gender, and class, alongside a strong emphasis on morality and consumerism.
• These factors significantly influenced the daily lives of individuals during this period.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask in class. Thank you.