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
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