The Romantic Period The Romantic Period of American of American LiteratureLiterature

1800-18501800-1850

““America is a land of wonders, in which everything is America is a land of wonders, in which everything is in constant motion and every change seems an in constant motion and every change seems an

improvement….No natural boundary seems to be set improvement….No natural boundary seems to be set to the efforts of man; and in his eyes what is not yet to the efforts of man; and in his eyes what is not yet done is only what he has not yet attempted to do,” done is only what he has not yet attempted to do,”

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville

Timeline of EventsTimeline of Events 1803 Louisiana Purchase extends nation’s territory to Rockies.1803 Louisiana Purchase extends nation’s territory to Rockies. 1804 Lewis and Clark begin exploring and mapping West.1804 Lewis and Clark begin exploring and mapping West. 1807 Fulton’s steamboat makes 11807 Fulton’s steamboat makes 1stst rip from NYC to Albany. rip from NYC to Albany. 1812 US declares war on Great Britain; early battles are at sea.1812 US declares war on Great Britain; early battles are at sea. 1814 Bombardment of Fort McHenry – “The Star Spangled 1814 Bombardment of Fort McHenry – “The Star Spangled

Banner”Banner” 1820 Missouri Compromise – No slavery in new territories1820 Missouri Compromise – No slavery in new territories 1825 Erie Canal success – canal building spurred throughout US1825 Erie Canal success – canal building spurred throughout US 1837 Samuel Morse patents telegraph.1837 Samuel Morse patents telegraph. 1838 Cherokee “Trail of Tears” – Georgia to Oklahoma1838 Cherokee “Trail of Tears” – Georgia to Oklahoma 1846 Mexican War begins1846 Mexican War begins 1848 California Gold Rush begins1848 California Gold Rush begins 1848 Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, NY1848 Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, NY

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

In 1800, the US consisted of 16 states, all In 1800, the US consisted of 16 states, all clustered on the east coastclustered on the east coast

L.P. doubled the size of the USL.P. doubled the size of the US This rapid growth = national pride and This rapid growth = national pride and

self-awarenessself-awareness Canals, turnpikes, and railroads boomed.Canals, turnpikes, and railroads boomed. Steamboats and sailing packets helped Steamboats and sailing packets helped

speed people and goods to destinations.speed people and goods to destinations.

Growth of Democracy at HomeGrowth of Democracy at Home

Americans started to take more direct Americans started to take more direct control of their governmentcontrol of their government

1828 election of Andrew Jackson – the 1828 election of Andrew Jackson – the “People’s President”- ushered in the era “People’s President”- ushered in the era of the common man.of the common man.

Property requirements for voting began Property requirements for voting began to be eliminated.to be eliminated.

““Indian Removal” forced westward Indian Removal” forced westward migration of Native Americans. 4,000 of migration of Native Americans. 4,000 of 15,000 perished on “Trail of Tears”15,000 perished on “Trail of Tears”

How Others Saw UsHow Others Saw Us

War of 1812 – score one for usWar of 1812 – score one for us Monroe Doctrine of 1823 – warned us to stay Monroe Doctrine of 1823 – warned us to stay

out of Latin American issues – we took care of out of Latin American issues – we took care of ourselvesourselves

1830s- We became involved in Texas’ 1830s- We became involved in Texas’ succession from Mexico – Alamo – score one succession from Mexico – Alamo – score one for themfor them

Texas becomes part of the US in 1845 – Texas becomes part of the US in 1845 – resulted in war with Mexico from 1846-1848resulted in war with Mexico from 1846-1848

Gold Rush brought 100s of 1000s to new land Gold Rush brought 100s of 1000s to new land of promise.of promise.

American Literature Comes of American Literature Comes of AgeAge

Romanticism Romanticism Romanticism was an artistic movement Romanticism was an artistic movement

that dominated Europe and America in that dominated Europe and America in the early 19the early 19thth century century

Romantic writers elevated IMAGINATION Romantic writers elevated IMAGINATION over reason and INTUITION over factover reason and INTUITION over fact

Romantics reveled in NATURERomantics reveled in NATURE Accented the fantastic aspects of human Accented the fantastic aspects of human

experienceexperience

Writers to KnowWriters to Know

Washington Irving – Father of Washington Irving – Father of American RomanticismAmerican Romanticism

Nathaniel Hawthorne – a dark Nathaniel Hawthorne – a dark RomanticRomantic

Edgar Allen Poe – a dark RomanticEdgar Allen Poe – a dark Romantic Herman Melville – a dark RomanticHerman Melville – a dark Romantic James Fennimore Cooper – creator of James Fennimore Cooper – creator of

the Romantic herothe Romantic hero