1. Transcendentalism

2. What: a religious, philosophical and literary movement Where: New England When: flourished from 1836 to 1846 Began as a religious concept rooted in the ideas of American democracy Revolt against the conservative Unitarian Church New religious philosophy: privileged the inherent wisdom in the human soul ‘transcend’ church doctrine and law.

3. Authors and Works Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Margaret Fuller Walt Whitman Bronson Alcott (educator) Theodore Parker (social theorist) William Ellery Channing (social theorist) Emerson Nature “The American Scholar” “Self Reliance” Thoreau’s Walden Fuller’s Woman in the Nineteenth Century Whitman’s Leaves of Grass

4. Core Tenets The Individual Is Paramount Human beings have self-wisdom gained by tuning in to the ebb and flow of nature. Transcendentalism celebrated the betterment of the self (self-perfection) Human beings have innate knowledge and can connect with God directly rather than through an institution. Our intuition and natural instincts guide us to do the right things. Human beings are naturally good at their core; society that corrupts us.

5. Core Tenets Nature and Its Meaning Nature is the focal point for much transcendentalist thought and writing. Nature and the soul were inextricably linked. Transcendentalists saw possibility, liberation, and beauty in nature. Modernization could lead to alienation. Nature provided a way to keep humans in touch with their souls and with their spiritual foundations. We should live close to nature, for it is our greatest teacher. Understanding nature brings us closer to God Since Nature is divine, and we are creatures of Nature, we are also divine In nature, we are uncorrupted; when we let society influence us, we start to conform and become corrupted.

6. Core Tenets Social Reform Transcendentalism became a venue for social reform because it revolved around the idea of liberation Social protest, elimination of slavery, women’s rights, labor reform, and wage slavery Civil disobedience inspired Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., to lead peaceful social protests. Society is the source of corruption Striving for material goods is unhealthy Advances in technology cause more problems for society

7. Rise of Industrialization Causes Industry boomed as the nineteenth century began. Population gains Influx of immigrants Expansion of territories westward Printing press Railroads Farms to urbanization Effects Poverty and crime skyrocket Wage slavery Panic of 1837 causes writers such as Thoreau to question industrialization.

8. Reform Abolitionist Movement Fugitive Slave Law Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852)~ Harriet Beecher Stowe Women’s Rights Movement Seneca Falls Convention Antebellum America

9. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Unitarian minister American essayist, lecturer, and poet Scholars consider his speech "The American Scholar“ to be America's "Intellectual Declaration of Independence“ Promoted individuality, freedom, self-reliance, and the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world Supporter of abolitionism Founder of the Transcendental Club and The Dial

10. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) Most famous for Walden and Civil Disobedience American author, philosopher, and historian Best known for his book Walden and his essay “Resistance to Civil Government” Influenced environmental movement Lifelong abolitionist who influenced Gandhi and King

11. Margaret Fuller (1810-1850) Journalist, critic, women’s rights activist First editor of The Dial, a transcendental journal First female journalist to work on a major newspaper—The New York Tribune Taught at Alcott’s Temple School Died in a shipwreck near Fire Island, New York

12. Bronson Alcott (1799-1888) Teacher, writer, and abolitionist Founder of Temple School and Fruitlands Introduced art, music, P.E., nature study, and field trips; banished corporal punishment Advocated a vegan diet Father of novelist Louisa May Alcott

13. Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet, essayist, and journalist Called the father of free verse Leaves of Grass controversy Biographers question his sexuality Died in his Camden, New Jersey home

14. Actions/Results Brooke Farm Fruitlands (Alcotts*) Walden (self-sufficiency, introspection, nature, objective view on society) Speaking out, Emerson’s public addresses/lectures Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” (or “Resistance to Civil Government”) Margaret Fuller’s writings (advocating for women’s rights)