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The Early 19c: The Creation of an American Culture. Early Nationalism. Post War of 1812. New desire of Americans to distance themselves from British roots and customs Need to define own position in the world Define American uniqueness and exceptionalism
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The Early 19c: The Creation of an American Culture Early Nationalism
Post War of 1812 • New desire of Americans to distance themselves from British roots and customs • Need to define own position in the world • Define American uniqueness and exceptionalism • Nationalistic tendencies to unite regions of the country • Downplay Sectional difference and conflicts • Unite Americans toward universal goals • Diminish distinct calls for independence by minority groups
Govt. gets its authority from the citizens. • A selfless, educated citizenry. • Elections should be frequent. • Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms. • Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances]. • The need for a written Constitution. • “E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”] • An important role for women raise good, virtuous citizens.[“Republican Womanhood”]. EnlightenmentThinking Classical view of a model republic The“VirtuousRepublic” “City on a hill”[John Winthrop] Ideal citizen[Cincinnatus]
Virtuous Empire Republican Values Self-Reliance -Independence/Rugged Individualism Hard Work / Sacrifice -Puritan Work Ethic Frugality – “Waste Not, Want Not” Moral Values -Republican Ideals -Honor -Honesty -Integrity -Humility
Cultural Nationalism • Education The “Virtuous Citizen” • An American form of English • Noah Webster
American Romanticism • Romanticism was an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of all the past and nature. It was partly a reaction to the Industrial Revolution and the scientific rationalization of nature — all components of modernity. • American Romantics demonstrated a high level of moral enthusiasm, commitment to individualism and the unfolding of the self, an emphasis on intuitive perception, and the assumption that the natural world was inherently good, while human society was filled with corruption • The movement appealed to the revolutionary spirit of America as well as to those longing to break free of the strict religious traditions of early settlement. The Romantics rejected rationalism and religious intellect. It appealed to those in opposition of Calvinism, which includes the belief that the destiny of each individual is preordained. The Romantic movement gave rise to Transcendentalism, which portrayed a less restrictive relationship between God and Universe.
Romance Era Writers • A well-defined, unique American literature • Themes • Nature of Man / Human Condition • Struggles of Evil / Mortality • Complexities of New Society • American Exceptionalism/Past and Present • Virtuous Values / Morals • Fragility of Women • Cost of Too Much independence • Goodness and Wholesomeness of Nature • Frontier as a unique national condition and spirit
Romance Era Writers • Washington Irving • Legend of Sleepy Hollow • Rip Van Winkle • James Fenimore Cooper • Last of the Mohichans • Mason Locke Weems • Life of Washington • Susannah Rowson • Charlotte Temple • Hugh H. Brackenridge • Modern Chivalry The Sketch Book, 1819-20“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
Cultural Nationalism Religious Movements: • Deism • Perfectionism Perfect obedience to God and his laws • Second “Great Awakening” • Utopianism • Societal Reform
Need for Religious Reform • The Atheists Bible “Age of Reason” by Thomas Paine Anti-Christian dogma of French Republicanism • The Tree of Life “Twelve Fruits to Salvation” by John Hagerty Follow the narrow path to Heaven or the broadway to Hell
Second Great Awakening • The Second Great Awakening marked a fundamental transition in American religious life. Many early American religious groups in the CALVINIST tradition had emphasized the deep depravity of human beings and believed they could only be saved through the grace of God. The new evangelical movement, however, placed greater emphasis on humans' ability to change their situation for the better. By stressing that individuals could assert their "FREE WILL" in choosing to be saved and by suggesting that salvation was open to all human beings, the Second Great Awakening embraced a more optimistic view of the human condition. The repeated and varied revivals of these several decades helped make the United States a much more deeply PROTESTANT nation than it had been before. Both blacks and women began to participate in evangelical
Charles G. Finney The ranges of tents, the fires, reflecting light…; the candles and lamps illuminating the encampment; hundreds moving to and fro…;the preaching, praying, singing, and shouting,… like the sound of many waters, was enough to swallow up all the powers of contemplation. “soul-shaking” conversion
New American Religions • Mormonism • African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E) • Shakers • Disciples of Christ • Postmillinialism • Adventists • Presbyterianism • Congregationalist (Puritan Reformed) • American Baptist and Methodist
Transcendental Thought • People, men and women equally, have knowledge about themselves and the world around them that "transcends" or goes beyond what they can see, hear, taste, touch or feel. • This knowledge comes through intuition and imagination not through logic or the senses. People can trust themselves to be their own authority on what is right. • A TRANSCENDENTALIST is a person who accepts these ideas not as religious beliefs but as a way of understanding life relationships.
Utopian Societies • Utopian communities in 19th-century America were considered by many to herald a new age in human civilization. Often led by charismatic leaders with high religious or secular moral ideals, these settlements experimented wildly with different models of government, marriage, labor and wealth. • Brook Farm (Mass) – Transcendentalism, Socialism • New Harmony (Ind.) - Socialism • Oneida (NY) – Complex Marriage (Gender Equality) • Shakers (New England) – Celibacy, Communism
Reform Movements https://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/8/video/
Economic Nationalism • Encourage Creativity & Inventiveness. • Create a Transportation Infrastructure. • Create a Pro-Business Atmosphere. American System Jefferson’s Vision of America Hamilton’s Vision of America
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, 1791 Actually invented by a slave!
Whitney’s Gun Factory Interchangeable Parts Rifle
First TurnpikeLancaster, PA(1790) By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road connected most major cities.
Conestoga Covered Wagons Conestoga Trail, 1820s
Robert Fulton & the Steamboat The Clermont
