American Revolution

Definition

The American Revolution was a colonial revolt that took place between 1765 and 1783, resulting in the thirteen American colonies gaining independence from British rule. This period was marked by the struggle for self-governance and the quest for individual rights, which greatly influenced the emergence of Romantic literature, moving away from the previous Augustan ideals of reason and order.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The American Revolution began with events like the Boston Tea Party and the battles of Lexington and Concord, symbolizing the colonies' resistance against British taxes and control.
2. Key figures of the Revolution included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, who played crucial roles in both military leadership and political philosophy.
3. The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which recognized the sovereignty of the United States and established its borders.
4. The Revolution's ideals greatly influenced Romantic poets, who emphasized emotion, nature, and individuality as a reaction against Enlightenment rationalism and Augustan formality.
5. The aftermath of the Revolution led to debates over governance and rights, shaping the Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist conflict and influencing subsequent literature reflecting on freedom and identity.

Review Questions

• How did the American Revolution challenge Augustan ideals in poetry and literature?
  • The American Revolution marked a shift away from Augustan ideals of reason, order, and decorum towards Romantic values that celebrated emotion, nature, and individuality. As poets reacted to the Revolution's themes of freedom and self-expression, they embraced a more personal and imaginative style that contrasted sharply with the structured forms favored during the Augustan era. This transition reflects a broader cultural movement that prioritized personal experience over societal norms.
• What were the key political ideologies that emerged from the American Revolution, and how did they shape literature during the Romantic period?
  • The key political ideologies that emerged from the American Revolution included concepts of democracy, individual rights, and self-governance. These ideas inspired Romantic writers to explore themes of personal liberty and emotional depth in their works. The tension between traditional authority and revolutionary ideals became a central focus in literature, allowing authors to reflect on societal changes through more expressive forms that highlighted individual experiences.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the American Revolution on both political structures in America and literary movements during the Romantic period.
  • The long-term impact of the American Revolution reshaped political structures in America by establishing a foundation for democracy through documents like the Constitution and Bill of Rights. This shift not only defined governance but also paved the way for new literary movements such as Romanticism, where authors began to emphasize themes of freedom, emotional intensity, and personal identity. The intertwining of these developments suggests that as America sought to define itself politically, its literature also evolved to mirror these aspirations for independence and expression.

Related terms

Declaration of Independence: The document adopted on July 4, 1776, that announced the colonies' separation from Britain and outlined the principles of individual rights and government by consent.

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, which greatly influenced revolutionary thought.

Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, significant in shaping the U.S. Constitution after the Revolution.