1. Canadian Society in the Mid-19th Century
The Reign of Queen Victoria

2. Victorian Attitudes and Values
Queen Victoria reigned from
Her tastes, values, and behaviour set the standard for everyone
Most Canadians adopted Victorian values
Even Americans adopted Victorian values

3. Victorian Attitudes and Values
The Victorians had “attitude;” they were sure of themselves.
They had few doubts about their values and beliefs
Victorian society was distinctly Christian
They placed a high value on personal modesty and on “gravity”

4. Victorian Attitudes and Values
Victorian values included a strict moral code and an obsession with social status
Occupation and social standing was determined by family background and social connections
They were also materialistic
The Victorian era was not grim, but very optimistic
British Empire grew larger and stronger
New discoveries in medicine, science, and technology

5. Fashion and Decor Keeping up appearance was very important
Clothing indicated social status and Victorian values
Women wore long dresses and aprons
Men wore hats and ties
A tan was a sign that person worked outdoors and was lower class

6. Fashion and Decor Houses of the rich were large and substantial
Indication of importance
Large houses were also necessary because large families were common
Victorians loved decorated furniture, heavy curtains, and knick-knacks
The poor lived in small houses in the poorer sections of town

7. The New Age of Science
After 1860 science and technology dominated and shaped the Western world
People in the cities were more aware of was happening than those who lived in isolated communities
Scientists debated the origin of disease – did not understand the cause
Exciting medical discoveries were regularly featured in the news
Aspirin, antibiotics, x-rays, vitamins, hormones

8. The New Age of Science
People hoped science would find cures for many serious and deadly diseases
Cholera, smallpox, typhoid fever, influenza, tuberculosis
Little was known about disease or hygiene
Prior to the discovery of germs and antiseptics, doctors often infected patients during operations

9. Leisure and Travel People liked to be entertained
City: Parties, concerts, fairs, circuses
Country: quilting bees, weddings, barn raisings
Books and magazines were popular
Sports achieved a new popularity
Swimming, bear-baiting, dog- and-bull fighting, bare- knuckle boxing

10. Parlour Games No television, radio, videos, recorded music
People had to entertain themselves
Made music, held dances, played parlour games and cards
Whist, checkers and chess

11. Getting Around Leisure travel became very popular
People with money to spare travelled to Europe or America
Introduction of steamships, steam locomotives (trains)
Helped to build infrastructure

12. The Rise of Newspapers
In the mid-19th century every city and most small towns had one or more newspaper
The Halifax Gazette was Canada’s first newspaper (1752)
Rise of daily newspapers, called “dailies”