Unit 1 - Cultural Developments Through the Early 1800s

​History - Cultural Developments Through the Early 1800s

​The United States developed into a multicultural society during the late 1700s and early 1800s.

--------------------------------------------

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the U.S. population was made up of people from diverse cultures. Some Americans had been born in North America. Others had migrated from foreign countries. These immigrants included people who moved to the United States in search of new opportunities, and people who were forced to leave their homes through the slave trade.

All of these groups helped create an American society that was diverse and multicultural.

​

​

American Culture

​

​In the years following the Revolutionary War, the United States began to develop a clear culture of its own. People of many different backgrounds helped shape a culture that valued personal freedom, hard work, and equal opportunities.

Unfortunately, these cultural ideals did not apply to everyone in the United States. Women, the poor, African Americans, American Indians, and other groups were often denied equal opportunities, no matter how hard they worked.

​

Multiple Select

Determine whether each statement (Select Three)

• Immigrants helped shape the culture of the United States.

• In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the United States gained strength, and a new American identity emerged.

• All people have always had equal opportunities in the United States.

• American culture is based on ideas from only Great Britain.

Multiple Select

Identify two American values of the late 1700s and early 1800s.

• Equality for men and women

• Democracy

• Inheriting wealth

• Hard work

• Religious intolerance

​Early American Writing

​Early American literature reflected the life and ideals of people in the United States.

In the early 1800s, writers in the United States helped shape American culture. Through short stories, novels, magazine articles, and even history books, they described some of the values of the new country. At the same time, these writers also began to develop styles of writing that were uniquely American.

​

​

Telling The Nation's Story

​Mercy Otis Warren was an important political writer and historian. She also wrote many poems and plays.

Some writers in the early United States wanted to explain the accomplishments of the young country. In doing so, they hoped to help people understand what it meant to be American.

One of the first histories of the American Revolution was written by Mercy Otis Warren. Her work explained how the United States and its democratic government was founded.

Warren and other historians hoped that their works would make people feel pride in their country. They also hoped that people would learn from the country's history and keep working to make the United States a better place to live.

​

​

​Creating national myths

​Many writers in the early United States told stories about values that Americans were supposed to hold. They created myths about the Founding Fathers to teach lessons about the ways Americans should behave.

One of the most popular myths was about George Washington. First published in 1806, the story describes how Washington chopped into one of his father's cherry trees. His father was upset and asked Washington if he knew what happened. Washington responded, "I cannot tell a lie," and confessed. The story was meant to show the importance of telling the truth.

​

​

​

Defining American styles of writing

​The traditions of European writers influenced writers in the early United States. But Americans didn't want to simply copy European styles. Instead, they worked to create new styles of poems, plays, and stories. Through these works, authors hoped to define a unique American style of writing.

One important early writer was William Cullen Bryant, who became famous for his poetry. His most famous poem was "Thanatopsis," which means "a view of death." First published in 1817, Bryant's poem showed an appreciation of nature and encouraged people to celebrate both life and death. The values expressed in Bryant's poem were viewed as uniquely American and inspired other writers.

​

​

​Literature and American Life

In the early 1800s, two American authors — James Fenimore Cooper and Washington Irving — became famous around the world. Both authors are still widely read today. Their stories give us clues about the thoughts and beliefs of Americans who lived at the time.

The works of both writers describe the pressures and opportunities of being part of a multicultural society. Their works also express how it felt to live through a time of great change.

​

​

Fill in the Blank

Fill in the blanks to complete each sentence about early American writers.

Writers in the early United States helped define American culture. Their works continue to show us what life was like during that period.

​Public Education

​States across the country created free public schools to educate children.

At the end of the 1700s, a few American towns and cities had free public schools, but they were usually open to only boys. In the early 1800s, however, a movement started to improve education throughout the United States. One important leader of this movement was Horace Mann. He had several big ideas about improving education.

In 1837, Mann took charge of education in the state of Massachusetts, where he put his ideas into practice. From there, it didn't take long for his ideas to spread across the country. By the 1850s, free public schools for both girls and boys were common throughout the United States.

​

​

​

​School and the Lives of Children

​Even after free public schools became common, most states did not require students to attend. In the mid-1800s and beyond, many children worked instead of getting an education. In addition, public schools were not always available to children of all races. About 55 percent of white American children attended school in 1850. Among children of other races, the rate was less than 5 percent

​

​

​

​Children on farms

​American children who lived on farms started working at a very young age. For children whose families owned land, chores were a natural part of family life. But children were sometimes servants and slaves too. Children in these situations were often overworked or mistreated.

For farm children who were able to attend school, an education provided new work skills and opportunities. An education could often lead to a new career.

​

​

​Children in cities

​In the mid-1800s, businesses began to manufacture goods in factories. Factory owners often hired child workers, who were required to work long hours for much less pay than adults. Illness, injury, and death were common.

Many adults were furious that children had to work in such terrible conditions. In the 1850s, states began passing laws to require children to attend school. The goal was partly to rescue the country's poorest children from factory work.

​

​

Multiple Choice

Who was most responsible for organizing and improving the American education system?

• Washington Ivring

• Mercy Otis Warren

• Horace Mann

• George Washington

Women in Early American Society

​Women played important roles in reform movements and as leaders in the home.

Women played vital roles in society but did not have the same rights as men.

American women in the late 1700s and early 1800s had to work hard to take care of their homes, raise children, and sometimes earn money to support their families. During the Revolutionary War, women took on responsibilities in their communities that were normally held by men. But after the war was over, only white men who owned property were given the right to vote. Women were not considered equal citizens under American law.

​

​

​

​Women and Reform Movements

​Even though women did not have equal rights, they often played major roles in fighting to make American society a better and fairer place. Their early reform efforts focused on education, equality, and temperance.

​

​

The End