The Victorian Era in Canada (1837-1901)

The Victorian Era in Canada (1837-1901)

• Canada transitioned from scattered British colonies to a unified country during Queen Victoria's reign.
• The population grew significantly, from 1 million to 5.5 million.
• Innovations impacted daily life.

Introduction to the Victorian Era

• Queen Victoria ascended to the throne at 18 years old in 1837.
• The mid-1800s saw rapid urbanization, with people migrating from farms to factories.
• Queen Victoria's reign concluded in 1901, lasting 63 years.

British Influence on Canadian Society

• Victorian fashion styles dominated clothing trends.
• British governmental systems shaped Canadian politics.
• British customs influenced daily life.

Political Landscape: Pre-Confederation

• Canada was divided into colonies governed by Britain.
• Colonists had limited control.
• Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada (1837-38) demanded change.
• The Act of Union (1840) united Upper and Lower Canada into a single colony.

Lord Durham's Investigation

• Lord Durham investigated the causes of the rebellions.
• He recommended uniting the colonies.
• His report influenced the path towards Confederation.

The Birth of a Nation (1867)

• Canada officially became a country on July 1st, 1867.
• Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia joined first.
• Sir John A. Macdonald served as the first Prime Minister.

Challenges of the New Nation

• Macdonald promised a transcontinental railway.
• Canada remained part of the British Empire with limited independence.
• Indigenous people were not consulted about Confederation and their experiences were largely ignored.

Reflection on the Victorian Era

• The Victorian era brought significant social and technological changes to Canada.
• This period saw Canada transform from colonies to a unified nation.
• The question posed regarding designing a new country highlights the need for consideration of priorities.

Canada's Transformation: From Laurier to Industrial Revolution

• This section explores Canada's journey through Sir Wilfrid Laurier's era and the Industrial Revolution.
• It delves into the impact these periods had on Canada's politics, economy, and society.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier: Canada's Unifying Force

• Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister.
• He represented unity between French and English Canadians.
• He was the 7th Prime Minister.
• He was known for his exceptional speaking skills in both languages.
• He used compromise to solve conflicts and balance interests.

Laurier's Major Achievements

• He created Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905.
• He encouraged western settlement.
• He started construction of the Canadian National Transcontinental Railway.
• He balanced the interests of French and English speakers and Canadian autonomy within the British Empire.

Economic Boom Under Laurier

• Wheat exports increased substantially during this period.
• Canadian cities saw significant industrial expansion.
• The Canadian population grew by three million.

Industrial Revolution Transforms Canada

• Steam power replaced water wheels, leading to mass production.
• New machines improved the speed and reduced the cost of goods.
• Steam locomotives connected cities, canals were improved for shipping, and automobiles emerged.

Working Conditions in Industrial Canada

• Workdays were long (12–14 hours).
• Children worked in factories, as young as 6 years old.
• No safety regulations existed for workers.
• Wages were low, particularly for women and children.

New Inventions in Daily Life

• Electric lights replaced gas lamps in homes and streets.
• Telephones connected homes and businesses for the first time.
• Indoor plumbing became more commonplace in wealthier homes.

More... Inventions in Victorian Era

• New types of beverages such as Coca-Cola were popular.

Economic Development

• Canada's major exports included timber, wheat, fish, and furs.
• The banking system expanded during this era.
• Significant expansion of the lumber industry, gold rushes, and coal mining.
• National policies protected Canadian industries and supported railway development.

Legacy of the Victorian Era

• Canada's parliamentary system and political parties survived.
• Victorian architecture and railway networks persisted.
• Education, healthcare, and multiculturalism persevered.

Urban Life in Victorian Cities

• These cities faced overcrowding, sanitation issues, and health hazards.
• Improved sewer systems and water infrastructure were developed and city planning expanded to ease these hardships.

Rapid City Growth Challenges

• Overcrowded housing led to cramped living conditions.
• Poor sanitation and overcrowding contributed to rapid spreading disease.
• These issues required improved city planning and sewage systems.

Living Conditions

• Most homes lacked indoor plumbing. People relied on outdoor water sources.
• Sanitation facilities were often outside the main living areas.
• Coal-based heating left everything covered in soot, affecting air quality.

City Improvements

• Sewers and sewage systems were built to improve sanitation.
• Public water pumps improved clean water access.
• Gas street lighting enhanced safety and nighttime activities.
• Improved streetcars improved transportation.

Entertainment in Victorian Cities

• Penny theaters provided affordable entertainment.
• Sports matches and public parks provided spaces for leisure and recreation.
• Music halls provided variety shows and musical performances.

Rural Life and Farming

• The daily schedule for rural life revolved around farming activities.
• Women took on cooking, preserving food, and clothing tasks.
• Men managed plowing fields, harvesting, and repairs.

Women's Lives and Rights

• Women had limited legal rights and access to education and higher learning.
• Fashion emphasized tight corsets and long dresses.
• Women began fighting for voting and property rights.

Education and Literacy

• One-room schoolhouses emphasized discipline and basic subjects.
• Teaching methods revolved around memorization and recitation.
• Rural issues, child labor, and limited resources sometimes hindered education.

Technology and Innovation

• The telegraph revolutionized communication, connecting cities and changing business practices.
• Transportation improvements, such as railroads, bicycles, and early automobiles, reduced travel times.
• Innovations in home life included indoor plumbing, gas lighting, ice boxes, and sewing machines.

Fashion and Social Etiquette

• Women's fashion included dresses, corsets, petticoats, gloves, and parasols.
• Men's fashion included dark suits, top hats, and accessories.
• Social etiquette dictated behavior in public places, during dining, and courtship.

Social Rules and Etiquette

• First names were not used in public.
• Women needed chaperones.
• A calling card system dictated social visits and meetings.

Healthcare and Medicine

• Common diseases included cholera, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, smallpox, and diphtheria.
• Treatment involved bloodletting and home remedies like onion poultices.
• Advances in medical practices included germ theory, vaccines, anesthesia, and hospitals.

Immigration and Settlement

• 160 acres of free land were offered in the west.
• Settlement often happened quickly, with families attempting to build homes within 3 years.
• Harsh climates, limited resources, and isolation presented challenges.

Arts and Culture

• Popular authors such as Charles Dickens were prominent.
• The widespread availability of newspapers and magazines increased literacy rates.
• New forms of visual arts, such as portrait painting, photography, and decorative arts, thrived.

Immigration and Settlement

• This section covers the aspects of immigration and settlement during the Victorian era.

Economic Development

• The factors driving economic development are discussed, including trade, natural resources, and national policy.

Visual Arts

• Visual arts thrived.