4.9 Development of an American Culture

Culture of the Young United States in the Early Nineteenth Century

Dominance of European Influence

  • Early nineteenth-century American culture was heavily influenced by European artistic and cultural productions.

  • Common forms of expression included:

    • Paintings

    • Architecture

    • Literature

    • Philosophy

  • The United States emerged during the Enlightenment, an intellectual movement from Europe.

The Enlightenment's Influence on American Founding Principles

  • Key ideas from the Enlightenment can be seen in the Declaration of Independence:

    • "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

    • "They are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

    • Emphasis on the government deriving its powers from the consent of the governed.

  • Thomas Jefferson's writings emphasized rationality and self-governance.

Transition to the Romantic Era

  • There is a stark contrast between Enlightenment-era thought and Romantic-era expressions.

  • Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "The Raven" (1845), exemplifies the emotional and imaginative focus of Romanticism, evident in lines such as:

    • "And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting on the pallid bust of palace just above my chamber door."

  • Romanticism rebelled against the Enlightenment's emphasis on pure reason and the scientific method.

  • Individual experience and emotion became central themes in Romantic art and literature.

The Second Great Awakening

  • The transition from the Enlightenment to Romanticism contributed to the Second Great Awakening.

  • This movement resulted in:

    • Intensified religious devotion in the early nineteenth century

    • New religious movements in the U.S.

    • Major reform movements targeting social issues

Emergence of Unique American Art and Literature

  • Artists and writers in the United States began to create original works that reflected a distinct American culture, rather than merely imitating European styles.

  • Impact on future definitions of American art and literature.

Architectural Evolution in the United States

  • Shift from Georgian to Federal and Greek Revival Styles:

    • Late 1700s: American architecture started moving from the Georgian style, characterized by symmetry.

    • Influences of Roman and Greek architecture emerged:

    • Romans represented through architectural language.

  • Key architectural styles:

    • The Federal Style incorporated Roman elements, such as arches.

    • Greek Revival style gained prominence in the 1820s, featuring:

    • Triangular pediments and Greek columns.

    • Example: U.S. Capitol Building's design reflects both Roman and Greek influences, emphasizing a unique architectural identity for a republic.

  • Transition period marked by a shift from square windows and doors to elements inspired by Roman architecture.

Divergence in American Art

  • Artists moved away from European conventions by the 1820s:

    • Preceding artists like Gilbert Stuart initially studied in Europe and created classical portraits.

    • The Hudson River School emerged as a uniquely American art movement,

    • Group of painters focusing on the natural beauty of the American landscape.

    • Emphasized emotion and the concept of the sublime, representing awe-inspiring elements of nature.

  • Example Painting: "The Oxbow" (1836) by Thomas Cole

    • Depicts a scene in Western Massachusetts with a juxtaposition between tumultuous wilderness and settled society, reflecting tension and the sublime.

Development of American Literature

  • The Romantic movement influenced American fiction writers:

    • Washington Irving and his folk tales illustrated unique aspects of American culture, such as:

    • "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and the Headless Horseman.

  • James Fenimore Cooper's creation of the frontier character Natty Bumpo in the Leatherstocking Tales mirrored interactions among cultures:

    • His character, Hawkeye, represents the complex history between white settlers and indigenous peoples.

Emergence of Transcendentalism

  • Romanticism in New England gave rise to the philosophy of Transcendentalism:

    • Advocated that truth transcends observable realities, allowing spiritual insight through nature.

    • Key figures included:

    • Henry David Thoreau, known for his reflection on simple living at Walden Pond.

    • Ralph Waldo Emerson, founder of Transcendentalism, promoted individual thought and resistance to conformity.

  • Influential Voices:

    • Margaret Fuller played a significant role in women's rights and Transcendentalist literature through her magazine, The Dial.

    • Emily Dickinson and Louisa May Alcott also contributed to the movement.

Opposition to Slavery

  • Many Transcendentalists vehemently opposed slavery:

    • Thoreau advocated passive resistance against unjust laws, especially during the Mexican American War, leading to his famous essay "Resistance to Civil Government" (also known as Civil Disobedience).

    • His philosophies influenced later civil rights movements, notably Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.