A Troubled Nation American Literature 1865-1910

Nations, Regions, & Borders Postbellum America

Making of Americans Immigration Urban Growth Child Labor Westward Expansion Slavery after the Civil War Changing Role of Women Distribution of Wealth Broken Treaties Individualism continues as people pursue liberty in various forms. All are centered around a struggle to become an American and the loss of identity to form a new America Leaders debated political and economic rights of freed slaves and the role of federal power. In 1868, the 14th amendment was passed granting full citizenship to all persons born in the US In 1870, the 15th amendement gave all males the right to vote. Reconstruction ended in 1877 when all troops were removed from the South. The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, allowing westward expansion and travel easier Crowded cities pushed immigrants west to seek a better life, as did the desire for silver and gold. Poor relationships developed with Native Americans as they were pushed from their land during expansion and treaties were broken. Native Americans did not gain full citizenship until 1924. By 1877, many new millionaire industrialists developed in the areas of meatpacking, railroad, and oil and steel production. 26 million immigrants arrived in the US between the end of the Civil War and 1900. The urban population grew from 6 to 44 million between 1860 and 1910 After the abolition of slavery, reform turned to women’s rights.

Regionalness The unique cultural contexts of the production of a text Gender vs. geography, race vs. class Women vs. men Area Black vs. white vs. Native America Low Class vs. High Class Regional writers portray a particular place, writing about its landscape, people, values, and lifestyle. Regionalists explore issues that are common to all people, but they do so by writing about a certain time and place. Dialect is a version of a language spoken by the people of a particular place, time, or social group, which also displays the regionalism of a text.

Author’s Craft Political philosophy Rhetorical purpose Audience Tone Diction Structure Author’s craft is the general term used to describe the devices an author uses to skillfully tell a story. These include point of view, word choice, onomatopoeia, personification, imagery, simile and metaphors. Authors use these devices to make a piece of writing effective and clear, engaging and interesting to the reader.

Essential Questions to Consider What is an American? In 1895? Now? What is the American Dream? What themes are apparent during this time period? Freedom The American Dream Racism Regionalism Survival Individual vs. Society What is the inspiration for fictional characters?