American Transcendentalism/ Transcendentalism

1. American Transcendentalism/Transcendentalism Cassidy Alex Lexie Cody

2. Defining Transcendentalism • Transcendentalism is the 19th-century idealistic philosophical and social movement that were developed as a protest against the general state of culture and society. It also protested the intellectualism at Harvard University in Massachusetts.

3. Major Figures • Ralph Waldo Emerson • Emily Dickinson • Henry David Thoreau • Margaret Fuller

4. History • Emerson moved to Concord in 1834 and in 1836, he published Nature. Nature established the main views of Transcendentalists. • In Cambridge Mass., the Transcendental Club was founded. They frequently published in their journal called The Dial. • Many Transcendentalists took part in social reforms such as the anti-slavery and women’s rights movements.

5. Transcendentalism and Romanticism differences • Romanticism emphasizes the importance of emotions and individual freedom, over knowledge. You should follow your feelings.  • Transcendentalism says you should draw inspiration from something external (beyond reason and tradition), like your relationship with nature/god.

6. Similarities to Romanticism • Both Romanticism and Transcendentalism believe that nature is a deeply spiritual force.

7. References • The American Transcendentalists: Concord Mass.; http://www.njvid.net/showvideo.php?pid=njcore:17264 • Transcendentalism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendentalism • The American Renaissance and Transcendentalism; http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/icon/transcend.html