Consider the following questions in your groups: Who is an example of an American writer or writing style (this would include a musician who writes his/her own lyrics)? Who is an example of an American artist or art form (this would include any type of visual art)? Why do you think that many people feel a sense of patriotism when someone from America accomplishes something recognized around the world?

essential question: How do the arts encourage nationalism and redefine America in the early 1800s?

Background Prior to the 1800s, American arts had mostly been religious or copying European styles and ideas. Jonathan Edwards preaching Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence

By the 1800s, American arts are more original in their styles and subjects. We first see respected art about American subjects during the Revolutionary War in the 1770s, such as Peale’s George Washington. American themes and styles were fully apparent by the early 1800s.

Some ways this is often done: 1. by helping to define America through your art Annie Leibovitz’s work such as “Pocahontas” redefines American icons Hip-hop fashion has redefined what America looks like.

2. by creating something uniquely American Jackson Pollock’s abstract expressionism created a unique American art form. DJ Kool Herc helped invent hip hop by popularizing repetition of the break.

3. by inspiring pride in your fellow Americans Argentineans are proud of Lionel Messi’s artistry in motion on a soccer field. We often don’t notice this in Americans, but rather in those from elsewhere who express their pride in their fellow countrymen; for example: Haitians are proud of the music career of Wyclef Jean.

Early 1800s Literature: The Knickerbockers Noah Webster created the first American dictionary in 1806

The Knickerbockers Washington Irving wrote stories set in New England and was celebrated in Europe.

The Knickerbockers  James Fenimore Cooper wrote adventure novels about the American frontier.

The Transcendentalists  Ralph Waldo Emerson was considered the “Father of Transcendentalism.”

The Transcendentalists  Henry David Thoreau was the most famous Transcendentalist in the world.

The Romantics  Nathaniel Hawthorne was most famous for The Scarlet Letter.

The Romantics  Edgar Allen Poe was most famous for tales of mystery and horror.

Early 1800s Art: Hudson River School was the first American school of artists.

1-Your group will have one of the four artist groups to investigate further by reading the section on this page. Begin by reading individually. 2-Discuss your answers in your groups. Add anything to your answers that another group member shares if you think it is important. 3-Each group needs an ambassador to teach other groups about what your group learned. Find the person in the group who has the most writing utensils with him or her today.

4-Now that person picks the ambassador. 5-Raise your hand if you are an ambassador. You will have three minutes to teach what your assigned artist group did to encourage nationalism and to learn what another artist group did to encourage nationalism. 6-Ambassadors have 30 seconds to find and sit with a group that was assigned a different artist group. 7-Ambassadors have 30 seconds to find a group with yet another artist group. 8-Ambassadors may return to their seats.

Which group did you not yet discuss? Final note: When you become a famous artist in whatever you do, I will be proud to be a fellow American and be happy to share in any income that you might receive.