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Greek Revival Architecture
The Greek Revival architectural form, which developed and was popular in the first half of the nineteenth century, imitated elements of ancient Greek temple design. It was a variation of the neoclassical architecture that dominated from the mid 1700s to the mid 1800s. Greek revival architecture was the first truly national style in the United States. Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, is a shining example of this style. -
The Romance novel is introduced
The literary style of the romance developed in the early 1820s. The romance novel was basically fiction, but it was riddled with complex and subtle meanings. Romances were not love stories, but serious novels with symbolism and great emotion. It was the first literary genre to stress and descirbe human emotion. Writers who mastered this technique were part of the first great American literary generation. -
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The Romantic Period
The Romantic movement, which originated in Germany but quickly spread to England, France, and beyond, reached America around the year 1820. Romantic ideas centered around art as inspiration, the spiritual and aesthetic dimension of nature, and metaphors of organic growth. Art, rather than science, Romantics argued, could best express universal truth. Famous authors like Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote in this style. Romantic ideals also affected music in America too. -
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Gothic Revival Architecture
Gothic Revival architecture was prevalent at the same time as the Greek Revival during the early to mid 1800s. It was a style of architecture which contained elements of medieval Gothic architecture and was featured in many churches. -
2nd National Bank of the United States was built
This building, constructed from 1819 to 1824, is a great example of the architectural style prevalent during the early to mid 1800s in America. This architectural style, termed Greek Revival architecture, used elements of Ancient Greek architecture, such as Greek columns and temple-like designs. -
The Falls of the Kaaterskill is made
This painting, made in 1826 by Thomas Cole, is a perfect example of american romantic art made in the early to mid 19th century. It represents the ideals of transcendentalism at that time. The group of artists he belonged to, the Hudson River school, were devoted to portraying the glories of nature as realistic as possible. -
A new spirit of abolition arises through literature
The first indication of a new spirit of abolitionism came in 1829 with the appearance of "An Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World" by David Walker. This ushered in a new spirit of abolition lasting until the civil war. The most powerful method for promoting this viewpoint came through anti-slavery literature. A new breed of writers, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass, used literature as a means to spread the abolitionist spirit. -
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A new generation of female writers emerges
Literature from 1830 to 1860 in the United States contained a significant amount of works written by females. These writers were part of the first great generation of female authors. Beginning in the 1830s, popularity from readers allowed talented women for the first time to become writers. Some of the most influential books of this time, such as Uncle Tom's Cabin, were written by women. -
Transcendentalism is prevalent
Transcendentalism was an American literary, political, and philosophical movement of the early nineteenth century, centered around Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. It stressed the importance of individual judgement over existing social traditions. It bred a new group of artists, who glorified nature through their works. -
The total weekly circulation of newspapers in the US exceeds that of Europe
By the 1830s, newspapers accounted for most postal traffic. This is mostly the case because the application of steam power to newspaper printing led to a great increase in output and a decrease in price of newspapers. Newspapers quickly became a popular mechanism for learning about the current news of the day. Newspapers were more popular than they ever were before in America. -
Scarlet Letter is published
The novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a fantastic example of 19th century american literature. Published in 1850, the novel revolves around a love affair between two Puritans. Hawthorne used the literary tool of allegory in this novel and riddled it with symbolism. By using these techniques and creating tangible characters with great emotion, Hawthorne exemplified the style of the romance novel in this work. -
Walden is published
Walden, a novel written by Henry David Thoreau in 1854, was an account of Thoreau's experiences living in isolation for two years. After those two years, he came to the conclusion that the market revolution was ruining american society. Walden was an expression of these thoughts. It is a shining example of the impact of transcendentalism on literature. -
Moby Dick is published
Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville, was published in 1855. It reflected the cultural conflicts of the era. -
Realism begins
A new art form, realism, replaced romanticism as the prevailing art form after the Civil War. Realism is a style of painting and sculpture developed about the mid-19th century in which figures and scenes are depicted as they are experienced or might be experienced in everyday life.
