Transcendentalism
By: Mr. Kercher, Mr. Carr, Mr. Schaible
and Mr. Raphael
Background information/Descriptions
Transcendentalism was a philosophical, religious
and literary movement that stressed the
importance of the individual over societal
institutions and traditional beliefs.
Transcendentalists believed people could
“transcend” (rise above) the artificial constraints of
reason and society.
Transcendentalism was a reaction to the rigid
structures of organized religion and economic
systems that kept people “enslaved” and stressed
the beauty of nature.
Important Leaders
Amos Bronson
(father)Emerson
and Louisa May (daughter) Alcott were both influential
Ralph
Waldo
transcendental
father
was a teacher
and philosopher
The recognizedfigures.
leader The
of the
Transcendental
movement,
Emersonwho
waswas
an American
personally
influenced by Emerson. As a teacher, he attempted to reform the
poet and essayist.
traditional
of education
to include
more
individualthe
instruction.
He and
His essayspractices
Nature and
Self-Reliance
are widely
considered
most influential
many
students
were involved
in a number
of reform
movements
of thecan
worksformer
detailing
transcendental
thought.
They stress
how the
individual spirit
period.
overcome the conformist pressures of society.
One
his students,
second daughter
Louisa
May,many
was became
an influential
Theyofhad
a personalhis
relationship
with and
inspired
other transcendental
transcendentalist
her own
right.
Her most famous book, Little Women, details
writers, includinginHenry
David
Thoreau.
American
poet
and philosopher
whoand
wasthe
an“cult
earlyofadvocate
for transcendental
the struggle
between
individualism
domesticity”
for girls growing
thought.
up during the mid-1800s.
His most famous book was Walden which stressed living a simple life surrounded
by nature. His essay, Civil Disobedience, argued that people should fight laws that
they feel to be unjust by breaking them.
His works, and his own personal involvement in the movement, inspired many
abolitionists.
Henry David Thoreau
Amos Bronson Alcott and Louisa May Alcott
Accomplishments
Transcendentalism is widely considered the first
unique American intellectual movement.
Many individuals inspired by this movement will
become the reformers that sought social change
in the temperance, abolition and women’s
suffrage movements.
The transcendental ideals of self-reliance,
positivism and individual freedom became
synonymous with American artistic expression.
Connection to Jacksonian Democracy
The transcendental belief in the dignity and
inherent wisdom of every individual was
inspired by the growth of democracy and the
“rise of the common man.”
Many transcendentalists objected to the “cult of
domesticity” and the institution of slavery and
believed that increased democracy would
eventually reform these problems.
George Caleb Bingham,
Stump Speaking, 1853
Multiple Choice Questions
1) Transcendentalism was a:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Religious movement
Literary movement
Philosophical movement
A and B only
All of the above
Multiple Choice Questions
2) Which of the following people would most
likely be inspired by transcendentalism?
a)
b)
c)
d)
A South Carolina plantation owner
A slave on a South Carolina plantation
An abolition in South Boston
Andrew Jackson
Multiple Choice Questions
3) Henry David Thoreau more than likely would
have:
a) supported Clay’s American System.
b) been fearful of decreasing voting restrictions to
include poorer populations.
c) advocated for an increased sense of nationalism.
d) felt South Carolina was justified during the
Nullification Crisis.