American Literature Unseen Context

Question 1

Emancipation Proclamation (1863).

Answer 1

• A presidential proclamation made by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863.
• A preliminary proclamation was made after the battle at Antietam on September 22nd, 1862.
• Abolished slavery in the Confederate States unless they returned to the Union by January 1st, and only promised freedom to slaves if the Union won the Civil War.
• The proclamation was successful in abolishing slavery and gave a new motive to the war; the freedom of slaves

Question 2

World War One (1914 - 1918).

Answer 2

• The United States came out of the war as a leading nation with military and industrial might.
• Patriotism was high during the war, however this also led to racial prejudice against minority groups. One of these groups was the South Eastern Europeans.

Question 3

The Roaring 20s (1920s).

Answer 3

• Also known as the Jazz Age, a term penned by writer F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• After World War One, returning soldiers had a new sense of mortality which led to an increase in drinking and focus on having fun.
• During this time Prohibition (1920 - 1933) made alcohol illegal, however this only made it more popular as a result, with bootleggers making money off of selling alcohol.

Question 4

The Great Depression / Wall Street Crash (1929 - 1939).

Answer 4

• Began soon after the stock market crashed in October 1929.
• The crash occurred on October 29th, 1929 (Black Tuesday) at the New York Stock Exchange.
• The Depression was a drastic change from the Roaring 20’s and had a large negative effect on America, with many Americans suffering from unemployment.

Question 5

Romanticism (1825 - 1865).

Answer 5

• Moved away from politics of the Enlightenment period and moved towards feeling.
• American values such as individualism and democracy are reflected in this movement.

Question 6

‘Realistic’ Period (1865 - 1910).

Answer 6

• Civil War killed the Romantic period.
• Marked by feelings of disillusionment.
• Realistic period covered many huge changes in American history.
• Some American Realist writers include: William Dean Howells, Stephen Crane, and Mark Twain.

Question 7

Naturalism (1890 - 1930s).

Answer 7

• Very similar to Realism; both ‘reject’ Romanticism.
• Also marked by feelings of disillusionment.
• Focused on determination, differentiating it from Realism.
• Some American Naturalist writers include: Theodore Dreiser.

Question 8

Modernism (1900 - 1930s).

Answer 8

• Post World War One loss of faith, existentialism, ‘innocence lost’.
• Breaking away from form and constraints.