Why do Americans use the term “Victorian”? Victoria came to the British throne in 1837, more than 60 years after the US declared independence. Tim Howell, Newquay
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One answer is: they do and they don’t. American history that happened along the north Atlantic coast is commonly referred to as taking place “in Victorian times”, but any history that happened west of the Rockies is usually discussed as “in the old west”. Depending on what time in Victoria’s reign is under discussion, history happening in the south-east might be discussed as “in the run-up to the civil war” or “during Reconstruction”.
When they do call American history Victorian, the reason is that Americans might have declared independence in the legal sense, but at the time the British empire was still far and away the most important political entity in the English-speaking world. American literature, social mores, fashion, theatre, industry, science and politics were all deeply shaped on a daily basis by what was happening in London. Especially during the run of weak, corrupt presidents during the Gilded Age, it was more useful and intuitive for Americans to refer to what they thought of as the centre of civilisation. catseyemousehole
I recall being surprised to hear San Francisco’s Painted Ladies being described as Victorian. The reason may be that the city wasn’t the old west, but settled in part by Europeans - not necessarily British - who had arrived by ship rather than by wagon train across the continent. jno50
Generally speaking, in the US, we use the term Victorian for events, both historical and cultural, that occurred during her reign. During that period, there were 18 US presidents, who were in office for between six months and eight years, so one can hardly define these timeframes as an era. Also, considering nearly a quarter of the population were subjects of the British empire at that time, I imagine that it became a relatively commonly understood term. Peridot
Because it’s shorthand for the bulk of the 19th century, even in Europe. Victoria’s reign was so long and saw so many changes – and not just in Britain or the British colonies. She was also probably the last head of state to project a global image for so long. Plus, Victorian is an architectural, fashion and artistic style. AliHargreaves61
As a term to describe the art and architecture of an era, it’s an easier umbrella term than the vast range of international ornate styles that were popular during Victoria’s reign: all the revival styles such as pre-Raphaelite, neo-gothic, neo-Byzantine, Arts and Crafts etc. Its other meanings – prudishness, hypocrisy, or a society where enormous poverty exists alongside extreme wealth – are sadly as relevant to certain quarters of American and British society today as they were in the 19th century. appealforsanity
I don’t know that it’s used very much at all in many parts of the US, but generally it’s in reference to a style of architecture or design, possibly certain fashions. Certainly, in the north-east, there would in this era still be a great deal of direct trade and interaction between Britain and the US, and quite a lot of cross-pollination, so to speak, particularly among wealthier families, in terms of sending their adult children (sons, mainly) either east or west across the ditch for purposes of education, apprenticeship and oversight of family businesses, cementing of social connections. shangers
Most Americans who use the adjective Victorian apply it to literature (especially British literature), and do so accurately to place it in time, or to an aesthetic reminiscent of the time. The vast majority of Americans never use the term at all. There are many reasons for this. The most palatable one: literature classes for American children are (despite what you may read about the authoritarian censorship horrors in Florida) increasingly inclusive, with an effort to read more women, non-heterosexual, non-white writers. quiettess
Progressive/leftwing north-east American here. I think when it is used – not very often, where I’m from – the term we’re searching for is “puritan”. Quips like: “That’s so Victorian,” are very casual, fleeting and so vaguely refer to a time that we assume was much less progressive for women and brutal in many ways, for example the ways diseases and surgeries were handled. barndotghost
We will talk about Victorian attitudes or morals in reference to American mores, but it’s often a bit derogatory, as in a fondness for covering table limbs with fabric. And refusing to acknowledge that tables and chairs have legs. AspasiasUli
We use Victorian to label a set of social mores that we believe were prominent in the British Empire during the mid-19th century, and that “better” American society emulated. It stands in contrast to modernity, the contrast captured by Cole Porter:
In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking
But now, God knows
Anything goes.”
1cjcarpenter