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The Chess Players by Joseph Clark (England, 1860)
The late 1800s can be considered "the golden age of board and table games." Board games became more popular in the U.S. around the beginning of the Civil War as people looked for pleasant ways to amuse themselves and escape from the turmoil around them. Additionally, new printing techniques allowed companies to create a wide range of board games at prices most families could afford.
In the first part of the 19th century, Americans played games that were manufactured in England or ones that they made based on English games, but toward the end of the 19th century, American companies began to make more games of their own design that reflected American culture.
Some of the games played during the Victorian Era are from earlier periods, like Chess and Checkers. Other board games developed during the Victorian era were based on different themes. There were many games with educational themes like quiz games about history, literature and geography. Some were based on nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Many taught a moral along with the story. A lot of the earliest board games in the U.S. emphasized Christian morality, rewarding players who landed on squares designated as specific virtues, including honesty and humility.
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Do you enjoy playing board games? If so, what's your favorite?
Source: Hofer, Margaret K. The Games We Played: The Golden Age of Board and Table Games. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2003.