Sylvester Graham.

Political Movements

Diet reform became visible as a result of the doubts of the 19^thcentury medical practices, and the temperance movement led by Protestants. Those involved in the temperance movement believed that a clean body was essential in order to live a righteous life, as well as the moderation in everything, was ideal for good health. Sylvester Graham and followers believed that a healthy body free of alcohol, tobacco, meat, and species was essential to living a Christian life. This further lead to the development of whole wheat flour. Poor health was attributed to changes in diet brought by the industrial revolution, particularly of flour and bread. In order to combat the poor diets during 1829, Graham began making bread, later crackers out of whole wheat flour. According to Consumer perspectives, whole wheat bread was for the lower class while the white bread was for the more sophisticated.

Christie Brown and Company in Toronto, ON.

Industrialization and it’s effect on the economy and, environment.

The last half of the 19^thcentury saw industrialization and urbanization of Canada. During this time many individuals moved from the country side to the city and changed occupations from self-employed agriculture work to employment in service or major industries. By the year 1891, over half of Canada’s population engaged in non-cultural practices. The steam engine was the icon of the bold phase of 19^thcentury industrialization. It powered the machinery of factory production as well as powered vehicles of national and international trade including steam driven trains and boats.

In 1874, the steam-powered Christie Brown and Company factory took up an entire city block. A few years later Christie employed 2 out of every 3 people in the Canadian biscuit manufacturing industry compared to the 5 individuals baking by hand in the year 1860. With the advancements and economic strive during this time, it also contributed to changes in the environment such as pollution. Emissions from steam engine operations were a huge contribution to air pollution in cities and was the major health hazards in the late 19^thand early 20^thcentury. A total of 113 manufacturing companies were recorded in the 1871 census using steam power.

Gender Roles and Social Life

As the 19^thcentury progressed the rising incomes created a larger middle class. The Canadian family changed from a unit where most members involved in production located at home to one organized around wages earned outside the house earned by the male. During this time there was various new job opportunities industrialization created for young women. However, these did not apply to those married as women became engaged in work of reproductive nature including bearing children and completing household tasks such as cleaning and cooking.

The role of the male was primarily exclusive to working and helping to provide economic aid to the family. However, women were seen taking a larger role as the daily absence of the male from home meant that women held a greater responsibility of raising children. The cookbooklet features two children and a mother, it does not feature the father figure which may lead us to conclude that men were busy working and not involved to a great extent compared to the women. Women were primarily involved in the day to day activities of home, this can be seen in the cookbooklet as the female is portrayed as the cook, presenting the dessert.

The mid 19^thcentury was also seen as a child centered society, as systems of reform were aimed at children. There were many changes created for the benefit of children such as in the curriculum to better meet the needs of children, child labour legislation, child welfare laws and many recreation programs such as playgrounds and libraries. The reflection of a child-centered society is seen as a huge part of advertising products, the cookbooklet features children eating the crackers on the package of Graham Crackers.