The Victorian Era1837 - 1901Feast, Famine, and Changing Values

Who was Queen Victoria?Queen Victoria was born in 1819 and became queen of England and the British Empire in 1837 until her death in 1901.Many places throughout the Empire are named after her including Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.In Canada, we have the statutory holiday Victoria Day on May 24th to commemorate the Queens birthday.

What is the Victorian Era?The RichFor the middle and upper classes, the Victorian era was a time of peace and prosperity.Britain was leading the way in innovative technology and with it came staggering increase in wealth and comfortable living. Industrialization introduced such things as the spinning wheel to make fabrics, machinery to use in factories, and steam engines were developed to transport good quickly. There was increase in the variety of luxury goods available for those with money such as food, clothing, jewelry, art, furniture, etc.

What is the Victorian Era?The PoorFor the lower classes, the Victorian era was a time of overcrowding, terrible working and living conditions, child labour, famine, and disease.Poor people moved from rural areas to the city in order to get jobs in factories.This created the cramped living conditions, filthy streets, and lack of sanitation leading to disease and early death.The Poor Law Act of 1834 created workhouses for those without jobs, which were as like prisons as possibleto make them a terror to the poor.

What is the Victorian Era?Social Reform and MoralityVictorian morality can describe any set of values that espouse sexual restraint, low tolerance of crime and a strict social code of conduct. Due to the prominence of the British Empire, many of these values were spread across the world.Social problems for the poor were not entirely ignored by the upper classes. Victorian values of the time were often focused on charity and philanthropy.The aim of charities was to stop poor people from drinking alcohol and to introduce them to Christianity.In 1869, the Charity Organization Society (COS) was established to coordinate the over 700 private charities. The Salvation Army was established in 1880 and offered help to the poor who participated in religious services.

What is the Victorian Era?Etiquette

Victorian Etiquette - Breaches of Etiquette when visiting someones house (What not to do)To stare around the room.To remove ones gloves when making a formal call.To walk around the room when waiting for the hostess.To remain when you find the host or hostess dressed to go out.To make remarks about another caller who has just left the room.

Betty Malheiro, 1876 Victorian England Revisited (http://logicmgmt.com/1876/splash.htm).

Extended Task:With a partner, decide which rules people still follow in Canada.What does this tell you about Canada today?

ReflectionWrite an exit slip. Use the questions below to guide you.

What have you learned about the Victorian era? Now, what comes to mind when you hear the term Victorian or Queen Victoria?

**She was on the throne longer than any other monarch in British history.She was married to the German Prince Albert and they had 9 children and 32 grandchildren.