Chapter 6, Lesson 2: A Changing Culture Flashcards
Describe the New Wave of Immigrants who arrived in America between 1815 and 1860
During this period, over 5 million immigrants arrived in America, mostly from Europe. The largest wave of 2 million came from Ireland (fleeing famine) - they had no money and few skills, and worked as unskilled laborers/servants. Germans, the second largest group of 1 million had money (fleeing German state division), and bought land in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and began farming or businesses.
What is Nativism?
Refers to hostility towards foreigners - also, most Americans at the time were non-Catholic, and the immigrants were Catholic, so there was religious hostilities as well. This led to the start of the American Party in 1854 (Know-Nothings, as membership was a secret)
What was the “Second Great Awakening”?
In a dramatic revival, Protestant Church leaders held camps for several days with worship and prayers to ‘readmit God’ into their daily lives, preaching that all people (not just a chosen few) could attain grace through church. The belief was that if Christian ideas reformed people from within, society would become better, but if people remained selfish and immoral, political reforms would not make any difference.
What new religious groups emerged during this time?
(1) Unitarians (believed in the unity of the trinity; rejected Jesus as son of God, arguing he was a great teacher) (2) Universalists (believed that God intends to save everyone, rejecting the idea of hell)
(3) Church of JC of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
What were Utopian Communities?
Communities and group that believed in the ideal society (Utopia) and set up cooperative living in order to live a non-corrupted human life with the renouncement of material consumerism. Key groups were Brook Farm, Massachusetts, Oneida Community NY, and Shakers.
Describe Romanticism
Romanticism was a movement that followed the Second Great Awakening, the tenets of which advocated the supremacy of feeling, spirituality, the individual, and nature.
Who were the Transcendentals?
Believers of Romanticism who urged people to ‘transcend’ (overcome) the limits of their minds and let their souls reach out to embrace the beauty of the universe. Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of the most influential Transcendentalists, and he influenced other writers of the era
What were some of American literary works during this era? Who were the key writers/poets?
Walden - Thoreau
The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow - Irving
Leatherstocking Tales and Last of the Mohicans - Cooper
The Scarlet Letter - Hawthorne
Moby Dick - Melvile
Poets included Poe, Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson
What was the Penny Press?
Inexpensive Newspapers (penny papers) which reported crimes, gossip, news etc.
