1. A Growing Nation 1800-1870

2. Historical Background  In 1800 – the US consisted of 16 states In 1803, the nation’s size doubled with the Louisiana Purchase.

3. The Growth of Democracy at Home: 1800-1840  Era of the Common Man – “The People’s President”: Andrew Jackson  White American males began to take more control of the government (slaves and women couldn’t vote)  Indian Removal- forced westward migration of Native Americans from confiscated tribal land  1838- Trail of Tears

4. Young Nation on the World Stage  First decades of 1800s were hopeful ones.  War of 1812 made US a player on the world stage.  Other expansions: - Texas 1845 – resulted in war with Mexico -California was added after US won this war with Mexico - Gold Rush of 1849

5. Literature of the Period  Before this time period, American writers were not widely read  Writers of this period defined the American Voice(personal and bold) and its theme (individual’s quest to define him or herself)

6. Romanticism (1820-1860)  Elevated imagination over reason  Took great pleasure in nature  Found beauty and truth in exotic settings, supernatural realm and the imagination  Found inspiration in myths and folk culture  Authors include Irving, Poe, Bryant and Hawthorne

7. Transcendentalism (1830s-1840s)  Individual was at the center of the universe  Found beauty in the imagination  Valued nonconformity and self-reliance  Authors include Emerson and Thoreau

8. Romanticism - elevated the imagination over reason and intuition over fact.  Romantic Writers: Washington Irving – changing facts at will – nature in exploits James Fenimore Cooper – preference of nature over civilization William Cullen Bryant – healing power of nature Edgar Allen Poe – accented the fantastic aspects of human experience.