Page 1: The Ferment of Reform and Culture, 1790-1860

Cholera Outbreak in New York City

• In 1832, New York City faced a severe cholera outbreak.

• Wealthy businessman Philip Hone documented the alarm in his diary on July 4, noting twenty new cases and eleven deaths reported by the Board of Health.

• Hone expressed a prayer for the disease's effects to be limited and brief.

Contributions of Naturalists

• Naturalists cataloged the flora and fauna of the United States.

• John J. Audubon (1785-1851), a noted naturalist, contributed significantly to American bird lore with his illustrated work "Birds of America."

• Audubon Society, established for bird protection, is named after him despite his past as a sportsman shooting birds.

• Between 1838-1842, the U.S. Exploring Expedition led by Charles Wilkes explored various Pacific Islands, collecting a substantial range of specimens, including over 50,000 botanical samples.

Primitive Medicine in America

• Despite increasing medical education, health care was rudimentary by modern standards.

• Common practices included bleeding and other ineffective remedies; diseases like smallpox and yellow fever caused widespread fear and deaths.

• Public understanding of diseases was basic; many blamed diet and environment instead of recognizing microbial causes.

• Life expectancy in 1850 averaged around forty years for whites and much lower for African Americans.

• Extraction of bad teeth was routinely performed by local blacksmiths.

• Popularity of patent medicines and fad diets was prevalent, with home remedies often lacking effectiveness.

• Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes criticized the medical practices of the time, suggesting that throwing the medicines into the sea could benefit humanity.

• Surgical procedures were brutal, commonly involving little anesthetic until the introduction of ether and laughing gas in the 1840s.

Page 2: Architectural and Artistic Developments

Architectural Styles

• Early American architecture emulated European styles rather than developing unique forms.

• Federal style emphasized symmetry, balance, and classical elements like columns and pediments.

• Notable constructions:

  • Massachusetts State House designed by Charles Bulfinch.

  • Benjamin Latrobe's contributions to the U.S. Capitol and the President's House.

• A surge in the Greek Revival style emerged between 1820 and 1850, influenced by Greek efforts for independence.

• Neoclassical buildings proliferated, particularly in areas like New York's Burned-Over District.

• Thomas Jefferson, an influential architect, designed Monticello, embodying Palladianism, and Richmond's State Capitol based on the Maison Carrée, a Roman temple.

Early American Painting

• Early American painters struggled to establish a national style, favoring portraiture and historical representations.

• The fine arts were hindered by a lack of patronage and societal stigma against artistic pursuits.

• Significant figures:

  • Gilbert Stuart painted numerous portraits of George Washington, idealizing his image.

  • Charles Willson Peale created many Washington portraits as well.

  • John Trumbull depicted revolutionary war themes.

• Post-War of 1812, artists began portraying local landscapes, notably through the Hudson River school exemplified by Thomas Cole and Asher Durand.

• Cole's works like "The Oxbow" highlighted nature's sublime beauty and humanity's impact, while his series "The Course of Empire" reflected concerns over civilization's cyclical nature.

Page 3: Evolving American Music and Literature

Music in America

• Music began to diverge from colonial constraints, leading to the rise of uniquely American styles.

• Minstrel shows, featuring white actors in blackface, portrayed exaggerated plantation life, reinforcing racial stereotypes.

• Stephen Foster emerged as a key figure in American folk music despite his ironic Southern themes. Notable songs: "Camptown Races" and "Oh! Susanna".

The Emergence of a National Literature

• Early American literature struggled for identity, often relying on British imports and themes.

• Post-War of 1812 saw a surge in the production and distribution of literature facilitated by new printing technologies and transportation improvements.

• The sentimental novel became a popular genre, often highlighting women's issues.

Page 4: Growth of Authentically American Literature

Rise of American Authors

• After 1820, American writers increasingly developed their own identities reflecting national themes.

• Romanticism emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism as a shift from Enlightenment ideals.

Notable Early American Writers

• Washington Irving: First American to achieve international literary recognition with works like "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Sketch Book."

• James Fenimore Cooper: Known for his Leatherstocking Tales, which explored American themes and the tension between nature and civilization.

• William Cullen Bryant: His poem "Thanatopsis" is recognized as one of America's first major poems. He also influenced journalism through editing.

Page 5: Transcendentalism and Influential Figures

Transcendentalism

• 1830s transcendentalism emerged in New England, influenced by European philosophies.

• Key tenets included individualism, self-reliance, and skepticism of authority and institutions.

Key Transcendental Thinkers

• Ralph Waldo Emerson: Promoted American independence in literature; emphasized self-reliance and creativity.

• Henry David Thoreau: Authored "Walden" and "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience," advocating for individual action against injustice. He influenced later civil rights leaders.

• Margaret Fuller: Focused on gender issues and edited "The Dial," contributing significantly to the transcendental movement.

• Walt Whitman: Known for "Leaves of Grass," promoting democratic ideals and natural beauty through free verse.

Page 6: Other Literary Giants

Prominent Poets

• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: One of America’s most beloved poets with works exploring American themes, also the first American poet memorialized in Westminster Abbey.

• John Greenleaf Whittier: An influential poet in the antislavery movement, known for his stirring and socially conscious poetry.

• James Russell Lowell: Notable for political satire and commitment to social issues through poetry and prose.

Women’s Contribution to Literature

• Louisa May Alcott: Best known for her novel "Little Women," which reflects her experiences and transcendentalist upbringing.

• Emily Dickinson: A prolific poet known for her exploration of themes like nature and mortality, her work gained recognition posthumously.

Page 7: Literature’s Darker Themes

Themes of Gloom and Struggle

• Some writers explored darker elements of human life:

  • Edgar Allan Poe: Noted for his Gothic tales and poetry, themes of death and despair

  • Nathaniel Hawthorne: Explored sin and guilt, known for "The Scarlet Letter," reflecting Puritan ideals.

  • Herman Melville: His novel "Moby Dick" presents complex themes about good and evil through the allegory of Captain Ahab's quest for revenge against the whale.