Transcendentalism 1830-1870

1. Transcendentalism1830-1870 Emerson Thoreau This was a time of great prosperity in American History. People were optimistic about the future, but dissatisfied with their government- and some chose to take a stand…

2. Philosophy After the “Age of Reason” Americans were bored of sermons, tired of persuasion, and fed up with facts. People were looking for a little open space and room to be themselves. A group of thinkers decided to experiment with the European philosophy of transcendentalism- a lifestyle choice that many in the early 1800’s saw as a means to personal satisfaction.

3. Individualists Many of the great transcendentalists were individualists: seeking out places and ideas they felt matched their personalities. These individualists believed the government and other people had no responsibility over the people, individuals should search out themselves first, government second.

4. Technology • Agricultural machines: helped open western land to farming • Industrial machines: allowed faster mass production of consumer goods and less need for skilled laborers • Telegraph: allowed for almost instant communication coast to coast • Railroads: by 1860’s people could travel from one side of the country to the other • Roads: A thorough, mapped road system made travel easier and more practical

5. Education • Public schools became state and tax-funded and allowed for “all” children to learn the basics of language and arithmetic • Universities became more numerous in order to meet the demand of students graduating from grammar schools • Newspapers and magazines became mass produced and widely circulated, allowing educated society to read the news and opinions of the world

6. Revolt Against Materialism • With low-paid, unskilled workers manning the machines, business owners and general consumers created a mass of materials and many in the tcd. movement believed this manufacturing led to materialism, the first step in the degradation of society. • Many became frustrated the treatment of such workers began to protest in support of basic human rights which became the foundation for the abolition movement and women’s rights movement.

7. Terms to Know • Transcendentalism: the philosophy that through our senses we learn the facts and laws of the physical world and with our capacity to reason, use this knowledge to determine the underlying “truth” in the universe. • Intuition: A direct communication between God and people that informs people that what they know is true, it is a power that “never reasons, never proves, simply perceives.” –Emerson • Over-Soul: the spirit that connects man and God and nature- it is through experience of the natural world that one comes to understand the relationship among God, man and nature. • Laissez- Faire: a doctrine that economies do best when governments do not interfere with free markets. • Nonconformist: one who does not ascribe to accepted social conventions, traditions, or customs.

8. Terms Cont’d • Romantic Movement: a literary/artistic movement that emphasized individuality, beauty in nature, freedom from classical tradition, and the importance of the senses and feelings. • Romantic reform: a social reform movement of the early/mid- nineteenth century America which sought to promote justice, equality, and education.

9. GOD Over-Soul MAN NATURE The most fundamental belief of the transcendental philosophy is the idea that man can reach God through nature. It is the Over soul which represents the emotional effect of a person’s connection to God

10. Thinkers/Readings “Walden Pond” and “Civil Disobedience”- Henry David Thoreau “Self- Reliance” Ralph Waldo Emerson Selected Poems by Whitman and Longfellow