The New Nation, 1783-1816: (American Popular Culture Through History)

Most historical studies bury us in wars and politics, paying scant attention to the everyday effects of pop culture. Welcome to America's other history: the arts, activities, common items, and popular opinions that profoundly impacted our national way of life. At the birth of the nation, when America's statesmen were laying the foundations of a new government, citizens were forging a popular culture to call their own. Patriotic symbols like the eagle and the profile of George Washington symbolized the virtues of the young nation. People from all classes―farmers, merchants, and the educated wealthy―turned away from European culture and began to recognize America's own prodigies. Homes, furnitures, fashions, and pastimes sprang from the new climate and topography. The styles, hobbies, and entertainments would evolve into the uniquely American popular culture we recognize today.Early American artists such as Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, and Charles Wilson Peale emerged along with original contributions to culture, including: • The first novels for women• The first American music, a unprecedented blend of religious hymns, African tribal music, and folk songs from the Middle Ages• Ninepins and skittles, the forerunners of bowling• Architecture incorporating the classical styles of Greece and Rome. A wealth of facts, information, and interesting sidelights not available elsewhere makes this a treasure trove for students and interested readers. Most historical studies bury us in wars and politics, paying scant attention to the everyday effects of pop culture. Welcome to America's other the arts, activities, common items, and popular opinions that profoundly impacted our national way of life. At the birth of the nation, when America's statesmen were laying the foundations of a new government, citizens were forging a popular culture to call their own. Patriotic symbols like the eagle and the profile of George Washington symbolized the virtues of the young nation. People from all classesfarmers, merchants, and the educated wealthyturned away from European culture and began to recognize America's own prodigies. Homes, furnitures, fashions, and pastimes sprang from the new climate and topography. The styles, hobbies, and entertainments would evolve into the uniquely American popular culture we recognize today. Early American artists such as Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, and Charles Wilson Peale emerged along with original contributions to culture, The first novels for women The first American music, a unprecedented blend of religious hymns, African tribal music, and folk songs from the Middle Ages Ninepins and skittles, the forerunners of bowling Architecture incorporating the classical styles of Greece and Rome. A wealth of facts, information, and interesting sidelights not available elsewhere makes this a treasure trove for students and interested readers. The development of American popular culture is surveyed in this undergraduate supplementary text covering the period from the end of the Revolutionary War through the Western Expansionism movement in the early 19th century. Two beginning chapters overview everyday life and youth during the period, and remaining chapters look at aspects of popular culture such as advertising, fashion, leisure activities, music, travel, and visual and performing arts. Historical b&w illustrations are included. Vickers teaches humanities and English at Pennsylvania State University. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Machine generated contents note: Part One. Life and Youth During the New Nation 1 1 Everyday America 3 2 World of Youth 39 Part Two. Popular Culture of the New Nation 53 3 Advertising 55 4 Architecture 65 5 Fashion 89 6 Food 107 7 Leisure Activities 123 8 Literature 149 9 Music 179 10 Performing Arts 199 11 Travel 217 12 Visual Arts 235 Cost of Products in the New Nation 257. A survey of the development of American popular culture covers the period from the end of the Revolutionary War through the Western Expansionism movement in the early 19th century. Provides a look at early American history about the arts, activities, common items, and popular opinions that profoundly impacted our national way of life Anita Vickers. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [277]-283) And Index.