American Culture

Washington Irving 1783 - 1859- Named after George Washington- Writings often told about

American History- “Rip Van Winkle”- “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

- Was a bridge between European literary traditions and a new type of writer who focused on authentically American characters and society

American Writers:

James Fenimore Cooper 1789 - 1851- Loved stories about the West and Native

Americans- “The Spy”- “The Pioneers”- “The Last of the Mohicans”

- Created Historical Fiction

Catharine Maria Sedgwick 1789-1867-Works were inspired by the people of Berkshire Hills region of Massachusetts

- “A New-England Tale”- “Hope Leslie”

New Style of Art

Hudson River School of ArtThomas Cole-Landscape painter

George Caleb Bingham-painted scenes from people’s daily lives

Thomas Cole

George Caleb Bingham

Modeled after Greeks and Romans

-symbolic because Greek and Roman governments contained some of the same democratic and republican ideals as the new American nation

Architecture:

EducationPolitical leaders believed that democracy would only succeed in a country of educated and enlightened people.

Who would provide it?

1837 Massachusetts lawmakers created a state board of educationOther states followed this example

Horace Mann-served as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of

Education since its creation

a. Campaigned for Education. 

b. Established Schools For Teacher Training. 

c. Established School District Libraries. 

d. Won Financial Backing for Public Education. 

e. Extended His Influence Beyond Massachusetts.