History - Victorian Era facts

Métis

A distinct Indigenous people with First Nations and European ancestry. Played a major role in founding Manitoba.

Louis Riel

Led the Red River Resistance in 1869–1870. Known as the founder of Manitoba.

Canadian Party

Wanted the Red River Settlement controlled by Canada. Opposed Louis Riel and the Métis government.

Provisional Government

Temporary government formed by Louis Riel in 1869. Negotiated Manitoba's entry into Canada.

Thomas Scott

Member of the Canadian Party who opposed Riel. Executed by Riel's government in 1870.

Red River Cart

Two-wheeled wooden cart used by Métis people. Transported buffalo hides, pemmican, and other goods.

Rooster Town

Métis community in south Winnipeg. Residents were displaced and homes demolished by 1960.

Taché

Catholic archbishop in Manitoba. Helped negotiate during the Red River Resistance.

Red River Resistance

Led by Louis Riel in 1869–1870. Helped create Manitoba in 1870.

Queen Victoria

Queen of Britain from 1837 to 1901. The Victorian Era was named after her.

Industrial Revolution

Machines and factories replaced much hand production. Created jobs but also dangerous working conditions.

Railway

Transported people and goods faster. Helped expand Canadian settlement and industry.

Eugenics

False idea that humans could be improved through selective reproduction. Led to discrimination and forced sterilization.

Social Darwinism

Claimed some groups were naturally superior to others. Used to justify racism and imperialism.

Imperialism

When powerful countries control other territories. Britain expanded its empire through imperialism.

Gothic

Architectural style with pointed arches and tall windows. Popular in Victorian churches and buildings.

Blight

Disease that destroys crops. Potato blight caused crop failures in Ireland.

Workhouse / House of Refuge

Institutions for poor people with strict rules. Often had harsh conditions and separated families.

Potato Famine

Irish famine from 1845–1852. Caused mass starvation and emigration.

Grosse Île

Quarantine island in Quebec for immigrants. Thousands of Irish immigrants died there during the famine.

Catholic

Branch of Christianity led by the Pope. Many Irish immigrants and French-speaking Métis were Catholic.

WASP

Stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Historically a socially powerful group in Canada and Britain.

Protestant

Branch of Christianity that emerged from the Reformation. Many British settlers in Canada were Protestant.

Poor Laws

British laws providing limited assistance to poor people. Often required people to enter workhouses.

British Empire

One of the largest empires in history. Controlled Canada and many other territories.

Urbanization

Movement of people from rural areas to cities. Increased during the Industrial Revolution because of factory jobs.