2. American Romanticism: 1800-1860 Introduction to the Literary Period Fast Facts Key Concept: The Nation Expands Key Concept: New Ideas Take Root Key Concept: Differences Threaten National Unity Your Turn Feature Menu

3. Historical Highlights Numerous reform movements, centered in New England, seek to improve social conditions. Rapid growth of industrialization, education, transportation, and cities transforms society. Discontent over slavery intensifies as the abolitionist movement gains momentum. American Romanticism: 1800-1860 Fast Facts

4. Literary Highlights Ralph Waldo Emerson’s first collection of essays (1841) discusses Transcendentalist thought. Romantic writings, such as Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book (1820), look to feeling and imagination to reveal higher truths. Edgar Allan Poe, an influential Gothic writer, publishes The Raven and Other Poems in 1845. [End of Section] American Romanticism: 1800-1860 Fast Facts

5. History of the Times A new era of westward expansion began. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase added significant land to the United States.Louisiana Purchase Key Concept: The Nation Expands This migration west intensified with the Gold Rush of 1849.Gold Rush

6. The Louisiana Purchase immediately doubled in size paid about four cents an acre for the land The United States gained all land between Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains Louisiana Purchase “Oh Susanna! Polka” Key Concept: The Nation Expands

7. New towns and cities were founded along routes to California and near mining sites. The Gold Rush of 1849 Tens of thousands traveled west, hoping for wealth. Gold was discovered in Sutter’s Mill, California. Key Concept: The Nation Expands

8. Many were optimistic that machines would advance the nation’s progress. The Industrial Revolution was changing the way people worked and lived. History of the Times Key Concept: The Nation Expands However, the rise of industry led to overcrowding and disease in the cities.

9. The Romantic movement helped express the discontent arising from the Industrial Revolution. Romantic writers viewed cities as places of immorality, corruption, and death. Literature of the Times Key Concept: The Nation Expands By contrast, they associated the countryside with independence, clarity, and healthful living.

10. Comprehension Check How did the United States expand both geographically and culturally during the early nineteenth century? Key Concept: The Nation Expands [End of Section]

11. The Lyceum movement used public lectures and discussions to institute social reforms.Lyceum movement Reformers throughout New England sought various social changes.Reformers History of the Times An era of reform took hold in the first half of the nineteenth century. Key Concept: New Ideas Take Root Interest in social causes led to Utopian projects—plans for creating a perfect society.

12. A lyceum is an organization that presents public lectures. The Lyceum movement taught adults, trained teachers, established museums, and led to new ways of thinking. The Lyceum Movement Key Concept: New Ideas Take Root Emerson lecturing in Concord, Massachusetts

13. Abolitionists worked to end slavery. Reform Movements Horace Mann worked to improve public education. Dorothea Dix worked to help mentally ill people. Feminists campaigned for women’s rights Dorothea DixHorace Mann Key Concept: New Ideas Take Root

14. true reality is found in ideas rather than in the world as perceived by the senses Literature of the Times people must go beyond everyday experiences in order to understand God, the Universe, and the self Key Concept: New Ideas Take Root The Transcendentalists believed human perfection can be achieved

15. He believed that even tragic events could be explained on a spiritual level. Literature of the Times Ralph Waldo Emerson, the best-known Transcendentalist, encouraged people to find God directly in nature. Key Concept: New Ideas Take Root Emerson’s optimism appealed to people living in a period of strife and economic downturns.

16. Comprehension Check How would reformers and writers in the Romantic Age describe an ideal society? Key Concept: New Ideas Take Root [End of Section]

17. History of the Times Antislavery activists in the North wanted to put an end to slavery everywhere. Most Northern states had abolished slavery by the early 1800s, but the number of slaves in the South was increasing. Southern slaveholders felt threatened, and violence against abolitionists rose. Key Concept: Differences Threaten National Unity

18. History of the Times Seen as competition for valuable land, these Native Americans later were forcibly relocated. Many Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee, were forced to give up their way of life to take up farming and other livelihoods. Key Concept: Differences Threaten National Unity The Granger Collection, New York

19. Comprehension Check What reaction did the Cherokee experience after making the transition to farming? Key Concept: Differences Threaten National Unity [End of Section]

20. Like the Transcendentalists, the Dark Romantics valued intuition over logic and saw signs and symbols in all events. Literature of the Times Key Concept: Differences Threaten National Unity However, their works explored the conflict between good and evil and the psychological effects of guilt and sin. Edgar Allan Poe Nathaniel Hawthorne Herman Melville

21. Your Turn American Romanticism: 1800-1860 [End of Section] As you outline the main ideas of the unit introduction and as you answer questions about the literature in the unit that follows, try to use the following Academic Vocabulary words: factor transform implicit principal integral

22. The End