The Industrial Revolution started in Britain and spread to the United States. Manufacturing shifted from skilled manual labor to large complex machines causing economic growth and change. The steamboat and railroad revolutionized transportation. The Industrial Revolution divided the nation into the North and South. The North had large cities and factories. The South had few large cities and one cash crop- cotton.

Idealistic Americans brought about many reforms during the 1820’s and 1830’s. Many were inspired by the Second Great Awakening. Americans joined together to end slavery, stop drunkenness, secure women’s rights, provide better care for the mentally ill and improve prisons.

Romantic writers valued imagination and feeling over intellect and reason. Some were optimists and believed in the basic goodness in people, equality, and the right to self-govern. Others were pessimists and focused on the dark and bad aspects of human nature and the world. Author to know—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many romantics also believed in the importance of nature. Instead of being a wilderness to be tamed, Romantics celebrated the beauty, power and wonder of nature. They also stressed the value of nature as a spiritual and moral guide for mankind. Author to know—Henry David Thoreau

Many Romantics focused on the dark side of human nature such as emotions, evil, and insanity. They were also fascinated by remote periods and places making these the setting of many works. Gothic literature emphasizes the unknown and inspires fear. Author to know – Edgar Allan Poe

Literary Terms Theme- the central message of a work of literature that readers can apply to life. Argument- form of persuasion that uses logic, reasons, and evidence. Assonance- repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds. Consonance- repetition of the consonant sounds, typically at the end of non-rhyming words.