American Culture Washington Irving Named after George Washington -Writings often told about American History -“Rip Van Winkle” -“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” -Was a bridge between European literary traditions and a new type of writer who focused on authentically American characters and society American Writers:
James Fenimore Cooper Loved stories about the West and Native Americans -“The Spy” -“The Pioneers” -“The Last of the Mohicans” -Created Historical Fiction Catharine Maria Sedgwick Works were inspired by the people of Berkshire Hills region of Massachusetts -“A New-England Tale” -“Hope Leslie”
New Style of Art Hudson River School of Art Thomas Cole -Landscape painter George Caleb Bingham -painted scenes from people’s daily lives
Thomas Cole
George Caleb Bingham
Modeled after Greeks and Romans -symbolic because Greek and Roman governments contained some of the same democratic and republican ideals as the new American nation Architecture:
Education Political leaders believed that democracy would only succeed in a country of educated and enlightened people. Who would provide it? 1837 Massachusetts lawmakers created a state board of education Other states followed this example Horace Mann -served as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education since its creation a. Campaigned for Education. b. Established Schools For Teacher Training. c. Established School District Libraries. d. Won Financial Backing for Public Education. e. Extended His Influence Beyond Massachusetts.