American Literature timeline by Abigail Roberson (Student)

Beginning of American history

aroberson26 — 2024-09-09 12:43:18 UTC

as we know it

Native Americans 2200 B.C. - 1600: Period characteristics

aroberson26 — 2024-09-09 12:44:31 UTC

1. Oral literature: epic narratives, creation myths, stories, poems, songs.

2. Use stories to teach moral lessons and convey practical information about the natural world.

3. Deep respect for nature and animals.

4. Cyclical worldview.

5. Figurative language/parallelism.

Native American: Authors and works

aroberson26 — 2024-09-09 12:46:35 UTC

There were no Authors and works listed for this time period.

Native Americans: Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2024-09-09 12:47:34 UTC

Indians in the Southwest, such as the Navajo and the Apache, built houses called Hogan's. These groups of people were always on the move so they didn't make their homes permanent. These eastward-facing round houses were made out of materials like mud and bark.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/native-american-cultures

Native Americans: Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2024-09-09 12:48:07 UTC

Some of our most important crops were actually first cultivated by Native Americans. Indigenous farmers in southern Mexico and Guatemala first planted corn almost 10,000 years ago. When Europeans first came to America, Native Americans had been growing it for thousands of years. Plants such as beans, squash, potatoes and tomatoes were also planted by Indians. In 2016, it was estimated that almost 60 percent of the global food supply originated from crops in North America.

Source: https://www.history.com/news/native-american-tribes-facts

PRESENT DAY

aroberson26 — 2024-09-09 12:48:30 UTC

as we know it

aroberson26 — 2024-09-23 00:36:58 UTC

2200 B.C.—Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

aroberson26 — 2024-09-23 00:40:32 UTC

2200 B.C. to 1600 A.D.

aroberson26 — 2024-09-23 00:40:45 UTC

1607—Early settlement at Jamestown

Puritanism and Early Settlement of First "American" colonies 1600-1800

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:05:01 UTC

1. Wrote mostly diaries and histories, which expressed the connections between God and their everyday lives.

2. South to "purify" the Church of England by reforming to the simpler forms of worship and church organization described in the New Testament.

3. Saw religion as a personal, inner experience.

4. Believed in original sin and "elect" who would be saved.

5. Used a plain style of writing.

1507: Early Settlement of the first American colonies - Jamestown

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:05:28 UTC

1692: Salem Witch Trials

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:05:46 UTC

1741: Jonathan Edwards "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:06:01 UTC

Famous Authors and Works:

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:07:43 UTC

William Bradford - "Of Plymouth Plantation"

Anne Bradstreet (poetry)

John Edwards - "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

Edward Taylor - "Huswifery"

Early Settlement fact #1

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:15:39 UTC

The original settlers of Jamestown were all men. On May 14, 1607, the ships Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, arrived at the banks of the James river bringing 104 men and boys to what would soon become Jamestown. It would be another nine months before women would enter Jamestown.

Source: https://www.history.com/news/jamestown-colony-settlement-facts

Early Settlement fact #2

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:23:32 UTC

Jamestown’s economic success was largely thanks to tobacco. It was first successfully cultivated in 1612 by English colonist John Rolfe. It quickly became the colony's primary cash crop, leading to increased settlement and prosperity. The ever increasing demand of this plant encouraged the growth of plantations and agriculture.

Source: https://www.havefunwithhistory.com/facts-about-jamestown/

Rationalism - "The age of Reason" "The Enlightenment"

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:25:17 UTC

1. Mostly comprised of philosophers, scientists, writing speeches and pamphlets

2. Human beings can arrive at truth (God's rules) by using deductive reasoning, rather than relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or intuition

1607 Early Settlement—Jamestown

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:25:39 UTC

1775-1783 Revolutionary War

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:26:12 UTC

Famous Authors and Works

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:27:07 UTC

Benjamin Franklin—Autobiography

Patrick Henry—"Speech to the Virginian Convention"

Thomas Paine—"The Crisis"

Phyllis Wheatley—poetry

The Constitution

The Bill of Rights

The Declaration of Independence

Rationalism - "Enlightenment" - "The Age of Reason" fact #1

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:34:30 UTC

The enlightenment led to modern science. The key elements that encouraged Enlightenment thinkers, rationalism, empiricism, skepticism, and subjectivism, are the same that guide contemporary researchers and academics today.

Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/enlightenment-facts

Rationalism - "Enlightenment" - "The Age of Reason" fact #2

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 16:41:36 UTC

The enlightenment helped develop novels. Before the 1700s, fiction generally existed in the form of poetry and theatre, however thinkers during this time helped develop it into what we know today! Many characteristics that our found in modern novels, like interest in individual experience, varying degrees of realism and social critique, and emphasis on dialogue come from the Enlightenment.

Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/enlightenment-facts

Rationalism - "Enlightenment" - "The Age of Reason" fact #3

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 19:21:30 UTC

The Age of Reason resulted in people questioning beliefs and how people lived their lives. One of the biggest beliefs that they began to question was Christianity. It was a period where people came out and openly rejected God and all of his teachings. Rather than believing in the one true God, many began to put their faith in new gods such as clear thinking, intellect, logical thinking, and reason.

Source: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-was-the-age-of-reason.html

Rationalism - "Enlightenment" - "The Age of Reason" fact #4

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 19:30:10 UTC

Sophie Germain was a French mathematician and physicist who lived from 1776 to 1831. She was born in Paris, France and made significant contributions to mathematics, including number theory, elasticity theory, and the study of Fermat’s Last Theorem. In 1816, Germain won an award from the French Academy of Sciences for her paper 'Memoir on the Vibrations of Elastic Plates', making her the first woman to receive such an honor.

Source: https://www.thecollector.com/women-thinkers-enlightenment/

Transcendentalism - "The American Renaissance"

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 19:31:12 UTC

1. Everything in the world, including human beings, is a reflection of the Divine Soul.

2. People can use their intuition to behold God's spirit revealed in nature or in their own souls.

3. Self-reliance and individualism must outweigh external authority and link conformity to tradition.

4. Important social and political movements include the Abolitionist, Utopian, and Women's Suffrage Movements

1840-1860 Transcendentalism

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 19:32:19 UTC

Famous Authors and Works

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 19:33:50 UTC

Ralph Waldo Emerson

—Nature

—"Self-Reliance"

Henry David Thoreau

—Walden

—Life in the Woods

Louisa May Alcott

—Little Women

Transcendentalism - "The American Renaissance" fact #1

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 19:46:49 UTC

Transcendentalism started in New England during the early 1800s and the birth of Unitarianism. It began because of an argument between “New Light” theologians, who believed that religion should focus on an emotional experience, and “Old Light” opponents, who valued reason in their religious approach. "Old lights" became known as the first Liberal Christians and then later as Unitarians and were defined by the belief that there was no trinity in Christianity and that Jesus Christ was a mortal.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/transcendentalism

Transcendentalism - "The American Renaissance" fact #2

aroberson26 — 2024-12-03 19:55:29 UTC

Transcendental thinkers were interested in forming a commune to put their ideas to the test. In 1841, a few of them, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, moved to a property named Brook Farm in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. The farm was run by members buying shares for life-long membership, giving an annual return on their investment. Members who could not afford a share earned their keep by working on the farm itself.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/transcendentalism

2024 - taking a stand

aroberson26 — 2024-12-04 02:58:26 UTC

On October 11th 2024, Seunghan, member of a 7 member Kpop group Riize, announced his return back to the group after a 10 month long hiatus due to past dating rumors prior to becoming a singer. However, Korean fans were outraged upon hearing this news and sent 1,000 funeral wreaths in front of SM entertainment, the groups company, insisting that Riize is 6. These wreaths contained messages demanding his removal and even went as far as death threats. Only two days later, Seunghan announced that he would leave the group. International fans were heartbroken hearing this news and immediately began boycotting Riize and SM entertainment. Feeling that Seunghan was bullied out of the group, they demanded SM to apologize to Seunghan for not protecting him and taking action against the funeral wreaths which are illegal in Korea to send to someone who's alive. This boycott has united millions across the world who have stood up for Seunghans mistreatment in hopes that he will be rightfully brought back to his group. Hundreds of Kpop stores worldwide have joined in on the boycott, and hashtags corresponding with the boycott have been trending all over social media. Protests in front of SM entertainment and at Riize concerts have occurred as well. The boycott has continued even now with hopes that he will soon return and legal action will be taken.

Source: https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/riize-seunghan-leave-kpop-group-announcement-1235799596/

2024 - taking a stand

aroberson26 — 2024-12-04 03:53:52 UTC

During Early 2024, farmers all across Europe have begun protesting-clogging the streets with their tractors, blocking ports and pelting the European Parliament with eggs-because of complaints and environmental regulations. While most of these protests have occurred in France, similar actions have occurred in Italy, Spain, Romania, Poland, Greece, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands. European farmers have already been struggling due to falling incomes, high costs, and competition from cheap imports. But now with the E.U.’s recent announcement of more strict green policies, it only seems to have brought new struggles. These protests are in hopes that changes are brought to farmers across Europe.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/03/europe/europe-farmers-protests-explainer-intl/index.html

1800- 1860 Romanticism, Industrialization

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 15:56:38 UTC

1. Valued feeling, intuition, idealism, and inductive reasoning.

2. Placed faith in inner experience and the power of the imagination.

3. Shunned the artificiality of civilization and sought unspoiled nature as a path to spirituality.

4. Championed individual freedom and the worth of the individual

5. Saw poetry as the highest expression of the imagination

6. Dark Romantics: used dark and supernatural themes/settings (Gothic style)

Famous Authors and Works

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 15:57:41 UTC

Washington Irving

—"Rip van Winkle"

Emily Dickinson

—poetry

Walt Whitman

—Leaves of Grass

Edgar Allan Poe

—"The Raven"

Nathaniel Hawthorne

—The Scarlet Letter

The War of 1812

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 15:58:29 UTC

1848-1855 California Gold Rush

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 15:59:22 UTC

Romanticism, Industrialization Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 16:13:00 UTC

During this era, Plein air painting – or painting outdoors – became widely popular due to people seeking natural inspiration. The founder of Impressionism and so-called father of plein air, Claude Monet, became fascinated by plein air painting as a means of portraying what he wanted to the most, the beauty of the French countryside.

Source: https://www.invaluable.com/blog/plein-air-paintings/

Romanticism, Industrialization Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 16:19:54 UTC

Industrialization brought many significant environmental consequences,such as pollution and resource depletion.

Pollution: The increased use of coal for energy and the expansion of industrial activities led to pollution of the air and water, health problems for individuals and environmental degradation.

Deforestation: During this time, there was an increased demand for timber and land for industry and urban expansion that led to widespread deforestation.

Resource Depletion: Industrialization led to the depletion of natural resources, such as coal and iron ore, which were used for industrial purposes.

Source:

https://www.havefunwithhistory.com/facts-about-the-industrial-revolution/

The Salem Witch Trials Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 16:34:07 UTC

The Salem witch trials started with two girls due to them having unexplainable fits.

In mid-January 1692, Elizabeth “Betty” Parris, the 9-year-old daughter of the local Reverend Samuel Parris, and Abigail Williams, the reverend’s 11-year-old niece, were believed to be influenced by witchcraft. It's said that the two girls contorted their bodies into weird positions, made strange noises and spoke gibberish.

Soon other girls seemed to be showing similar symptoms. The reverend called in a local doctor, William Griggs, when he made the suggestion that they be under the influence of witchcraft.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials

The Sale Witch Trials Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2025-01-21 16:41:47 UTC

Surprisingly, not even animals were spared during the Salem witch trials. During the trials, two dogs were killed based on suspicions of witchcraft. The first dog was shot after a girl suffering from convulsions accused the dog of trying to bewitch her. The second dog was actually thought to be a victim of witchcraft whose tormentors ran away before they could be tried in court.

Source:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/647176/salem-witch-trials-facts

McCarthyism - 1947-1991

aroberson26 — 2025-02-19 21:02:33 UTC

McCarthyism Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2025-02-19 21:06:41 UTC

McCarthyism was a time in the 1950s when Senator Joseph McCarthy accused people of being communists without evidence, leading to fear, job loss, and violations of civil liberties. The influence of McCarthyism was very big. There were at least 2,000 people losing their jobs in the United States Government.

Source: https://facts.net/history/28-facts-about-mccarthyism/

McCarthyism Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2025-02-19 21:11:08 UTC

During this time period, there was a large investigation into the entertainment industry. In June 1950 a right-wing journal called Counterattack published a book with the names of 151 actors, writers, directors, producers, musicians, broadcast journalists, and other entertainers, and the organizations they were linked to which were supposedly communist. No evidence was provided linking these organizations to communism. The Report of Communist Influence in Radio and Television, claimed these entertainers were actively engaged in manipulating the entertainment industry. Red Channels effectively blacklisted these entertainers. Executives in the movie and growing television industries avoided hiring persons on the list to avoid controversy and risk losing advertising sponsors.

Source: https://www.historyonthenet.com/cold-war-home-front-mccarthyism

Robert Frost

aroberson26 — 2025-02-19 22:57:13 UTC

He received four Pulitzers for his poetry and a US Congressional Gold medal which was awarded by John F. Kennedy in 1960 for his contribution to the culture of the United States. He is one of only four individuals to have won four Pulitzer prizes for his poetry collections.
Frost was invited to read a poem at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961. However, as he prepared to read the poem he had written specially for the occasion, ‘For John F. Kennedy His Inauguration’, Frost found he was unable to read the words of his poem on because of the glare of the sun.
So instead, he began to recite one of his earlier poems, from memory: ‘The Gift Outright’.
Robert Frost's life was one of many tragedies. His father died due to tuberculosis when he was 11, and his mother died due to cancer when she was just 26. His younger sister died in a mental hospital, and his wife Elinor suffered from cancer then died due to heart failure. He outlived four of the six children he fathered with Elinor.
Sources: https://interestingliterature.com/2023/03/robert-frost-facts/
https://www.robertfrost.org/robert-frost-facts.jsp#google_vignette

Anne Bradstreet

aroberson26 — 2025-02-19 23:18:12 UTC

Anne Bradstreet was the first published poet in America, male or female. Although it would not appear in print in America until 1678, six years after her death, Bradstreet’s poetry collection The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung up in America was published in London in 1650, making her the first poet living in the New World to have a book of poems published.
After Anne Bradstreet died in 1672, her husband, Simon Bradstreet, married another woman with the name Anne. So his second wife was yet another Anne Bradstreet.
When The Tenth Muse appeared in England in 1650, it was claimed that Bradstreet’s brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, had published them without her permission. However, later in the poem she implies that she ‘sent’ her poems out into the world because she needed the money.
Source: https://interestingliterature.com/2023/01/facts-about-anne-bradstreet/

Ezra Pound

aroberson26 — 2025-02-19 23:35:52 UTC

Ezra Pound went to the University of Pennsylvania in 1901. It was here that he violated college convention by wearing flashy socks, something freshmen were forbidden to do. Because of this he was thrown into a lily pond by second-year students.
He was arrested for charges of treason against the United States and later declared insane. In the 1930s, Pound had become a vocal supporter of Italian fascism.
Pound had a rather lonely youth as he was often shunned by his peers. His professors recalled that he only ever saw Pound walking about alone on campus, never with friends.
Source: https://interestingliterature.com/2015/05/five-fascinating-facts-about-ezra-pound/

Realism 1850-1900

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 20:24:31 UTC

1. Feelings of disillusionment.

2. Common subjects: slums of rapidly growing cities, factories replacing farmlands, poor factory workers, corrupt politicians.

3. Represented the manner and environment of everyday life and ordinary people as realistically as possible (Regionalism).

4. Sought to explain behavior (psychologically/socially).

Civil War 1861-1865

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 20:25:09 UTC

Reconstruction Era 1865-1877

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 20:25:31 UTC

Famous Authors and Works

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 20:32:33 UTC

Mark Twain

-Huckleberry Finn

Jack London

-Call of the Wild

-"To Build a Fire"

Stephen Crane

-"The Open Boat"

Ambrose Bierce

-"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"

Kate Chopin

-"Story of an Hour"

-The Awakening

Realism Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 20:48:59 UTC

There were actually seven US Presidents who were veterans of the American Civil War

They are:

Andrew Johnson

Ulysses S. Grant

Rutherford B. Hayes

James A. Garfield

Chester A. Arthur

Benjamin Harrison

William McKinley

Source: https://historycolored.com/articles/10853/25-interesting-facts-about-the-american-civil-war/

Realism Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 20:54:00 UTC

The influence of Realism did not only impact painting and literature, but photography as well. The invention of photography in the mid-19th century coincided with the Realist movement, as both sought to capture and document reality. Photographers like Gustave Le Gray and Nadar embraced Realist principles by photographing everyday life and social conditions, thereby providing an unfiltered view of their environment.

Source: https://www.luxwisp.com/facts-about-realism/

Washing Irving Facts

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:02:33 UTC

Washing Irving was named after George Washington and even attended his presidential inauguration.
In 1804, Washington Irving showed signs of tuberculosis, so his brothers sent him to Europe for two years where he kept extensive journals.
Irving and his brother William started a short-lived satirical newspaper called Salmagundi. Published anonymously, it contained sketches, essays, and commentaries on politics and drama. It supposedly bestowed on New York City the nickname of Gotham.
Source: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/washington-irving https://www.worldhistory.org/Washington_Irving/

Susan Glaspell Facts

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:11:46 UTC

In 1915, at Susan and her husbands summer home in Provincetown on Cape Cod, they organized a group of local artists as an amateur theatre group and staged a number of one-act plays in a converted fish warehouse.
When her and her husband got married, they quickly became central figures in the life of Greenwich Village in New York City.
In 1927, she published The Comic Artist and Alison’s House in 1930, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Susan-Glaspell

Modernism 1900-1950

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:15:24 UTC

1. Sense of disillusionment and loss of faith in the "American Dream": the independent, self-reliant, individual will triumph.

2. Emphasis on bold experimentation in style and form over the traditional.

3. Interest in the inner workings of the human mind (ex. Stream of consciousness).

World War I 1914-1918

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:15:58 UTC

The Great Depression 1929-1939

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:16:34 UTC

World War II 1939-1945

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:16:54 UTC

Famous Authors and Works

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:17:36 UTC

Lorraine Hansberry

-A Raisin in the Sun

F. Scott Fitzgerald

-The Great Gatsby

William Faulkner

-"A Rose for Emily"

Eudora Welty

-"A Worn Path"

Robert Frost

-poetry

T. S. Eliot

-The Waste Land

-"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"

John Steinbeck

-Of Mice and Men

-The Grapes of Wrath

Modernism Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:23:07 UTC

The most successful fighter pilot of the entire war was German fighter pilot Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen better known as the "Red Baron." He shot down 80 planes, more than any other WWI pilot.

Source: https://www.factretriever.com/world-war-i-facts

Modernism Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:30:34 UTC

People who lost their homes often lived in what were called “Hoovervilles,” or shanty towns, that were named after President Herbert Hoover. There was also “Hoover Stew”, food dished out in soup kitchens, “Hoover Blankets”, newspapers that served as blankets, “Hoover Hogs”, jack rabbits used as food, and “Hoover Wagons”, broken cars that were pulled by mules.

Source: https://www.factretriever.com/great-depression-facts

The American Dream during the 20's

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:34:44 UTC

The 1920s witnessed major cultural shifts and innovations, redefining the American Dream. Jazz music represented a breakaway from past norms, and with radio and cinema, a shared national culture was formed. These cultural shifts set the foundation for the continually evolving notion of the American Dream.

Source: https://someamericandreams.com/what-was-the-american-dream-in-the-1920s/

The American Dream during the 20's

aroberson26 — 2025-05-16 21:38:46 UTC

During the Roaring Twenties, social mobility was seen as a key aspect of the American Dream. This era was a time when many Americans could’ve potentially climbed the economic ladder swiftly.

The automotive industry, in particular, boomed during this period. Entrepreneurs like Henry Ford created thousands of jobs and democratized cars, a symbol of status and freedom, by making them affordable to middle-class Americans. This widened the opportunities for social mobility, insuring more Americans had a shot at prosperity.

Source: https://someamericandreams.com/what-was-the-american-dream-in-the-1920s/

The American Dream during the 30's & 40's

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 19:48:10 UTC

During the 30's, America was struggling with the Great Depression. Because of this, the American Dream was reshaped by economic hardships and societal challenges. Instead of focusing on riches and climbing up the social ladder, it took on a more humble, survival-focused interpretation.

Source: https://brilliantio.com/what-was-the-american-dream-in-the-1930s/

The American Dream during the 30's & 40's

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 19:48:49 UTC

Following WWII, The United States entered a new era of economic growth and social change that reshaped the landscape of the nation. During this time, the American middle class grew rapidly and veterans were able to afford homes and pursue higher education, creating a ripple effect that further bolstered the economy. People aspired to own homes filled with modern conveniences—from cars and dishwashers to television sets and lawnmowers.

Source: https://go40s.com/1940s-and-the-american-dream/

The American Dream during the 50's

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:06:47 UTC

During the 1950s, the idea of the American Dream took on new meaning as it adapted to the changes sociaty and the economy. Following World War II, the United States experienced rapid economic expansion, which opened the door for many Americans to improve their quality of life and seek personal satisfaction. This era is often idealized as a time when the American Dream felt within reach—owning a house, finding stable employment, and building a comfortable life became realistic goals for a large segment of the population.

Source: https://brilliantio.com/american-dream-1950s/#:~:text=The%201950s%20in%20the%20United%20States%20are%20often,goals%20for%20a%20significant%20portion%20of%20the%20population.

The American Dream during the 50's

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:10:24 UTC

In the 1950s, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 launched the interstate highway system, promoting suburban growth and car-centered lifestyles. However, this expansion raised environmental concerns like urban sprawl and air pollution. The decade also reinforced strict gender roles, with women largely confined to domestic duties and earning lower wages. Yet dissatisfaction grew, eventually voiced by Betty Friedan in The Feminine Mystique, which helped spark the feminist movement and a push for gender equality.

Source: https://brilliantio.com/american-dream-1950s/#:~:text=The%201950s%20in%20the%20United%20States%20are%20often,goals%20for%20a%20significant%20portion%20of%20the%20population.

Harlem Renaissance "The Jazz Age" "The Roaring 20s" 1920-1940

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:12:17 UTC

Black cultural movement in Harlem, New York
Some poetry rhythms based on spirituals and jazz, lyrics on the blues, and diction from the street talk of the ghettos
Other poetry used conventional lyrical forms

"The New Negro Movement" 1919-1925

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:13:23 UTC

Prohibition 1920-1933

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:13:51 UTC

Famous Authors and Works

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:14:20 UTC

James Weldon Johnson

Claude McKay

Countee Cullen

Langston Hughes (poetry)

Zora Neale Hurston

Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:24:17 UTC

In 1928, a lot of interesting things happened. First off, sliced bread, was invented along with bubble gum. The first Mickey Mouse cartoon was shown ,Penicillin was discovered, and the first Oxford English Dictionary was published.

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/1920s-timeline-1779949

Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2025-06-19 20:27:46 UTC

I know there isn't a lot written here, but I thought this was really interesting. In 1931, Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner” was officially named the United States national anthem.

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/spangled-banner-becomes-official-anthem-1779292

The American Dream during the 60's & 70's

aroberson26 — 2025-06-20 01:15:29 UTC

In the 1960s, the American Dream faced challenges. The Vietnam War drained money from social programs like the War on Poverty. Civil rights laws were passed, but racism and inequality continued. Many young people protested the war and demanded faster change. Some rejected traditional values and created a counterculture. The dream of equality and success wasn’t reached by everyone.

Source: https://www.history.com/articles/1960s-history

The American Dream During the 60's & 70's

aroberson26 — 2025-06-20 01:21:22 UTC

The 1970s American Dream shifted as the country faced economic troubles, including inflation, oil shortages, and rising unemployment. Many families adjusted to a new reality, with more women entering the workforce and people focusing more on individual happiness than material success. Social movements and cultural changes also redefined what success and freedom meant. Source: https://historycollection.com/life-in-the-united-states-in-1970s/

The American Dream During the 80's

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 19:43:43 UTC

During the 80's, there was a rise of yuppies. Young Urban Professionals, or Yuppies, were driven by their desire for success, wealth, and status. Their goal was to break free from traditional societal norms. Flashy cars, designer clothing, and expensive gadgets were used as symbols for their newfound freedom. This pursuit of individualism went hand in hand with an aggressive work ethic that pushed them to strive for success within their careers.

Source: https://brilliantio.com/what-is-the-american-dream-in-the-1980s/#:~:text=The%20economic%20boom%2C%20social%20movements%2C%20optimism%2C%20and%20materialism,tuition%20costs%20and%20student%20debt%20hindered%20economic%20mobility.

The American Dream During the 80's

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 19:48:54 UTC

A key factor that shaped the way the American dream was seen in this decade was the influence of advertising and media. The lifestyle portrayed in TV shows like ‘Dallas’ and ‘Dynasty' were extremely lavish and advertisements featuring successful individuals wearing designer clothes or driving high-end cars. All of this associated material wealth with happiness and fulfillment while overlooking other essential aspects, such as personal growth or community involvement.

The American Dream during the 90's and early 2000's

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 19:57:19 UTC

In the 90's, The United States underwent a change in family dynamics. During this decade, the American Dream was no longer just about having a house in the suburbs with two kids and a dog; it began to include single-parent households, multi-generational living arrangements, and other non-traditional family structures. Working mothers became increasingly common, dual-income families were no longer an anomaly and child care and work-life balance issues took center stage in public discourse and policy debates.

Source: https://brilliantio.com/what-was-the-american-dream-in-the-1990s/

The American Dream during the 90's and early 2000's

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:06:20 UTC

In the 2000s, owning a home, once a big part of the American Dream, became less common. Fewer adults were buying homes, and more were renting instead. This was partly because people were waiting longer to get married and have kids, which were things that used to lead to homeownership.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/the-american-dream-peaked-in-the-early-2000s-2015-1

Contemporary "Postmodernism" 1950–present

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:08:03 UTC

1. Influenced by studies of media, language, and information technology.

2. Sense that little is unique; culture endlessly duplicates itself.

3. New literary forms and techniques: works composed of only dialogue, or combining fiction and nonfiction, experimenting with physical appearance of their work.

Korean War 1950-1953

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:08:35 UTC

Vietnam War 1954-1975

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:09:07 UTC

Famous Authors and Works

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:09:48 UTC

Alice Walker

Wallace Stevens

e.e. cummings

Maya Angelou

Anne Sexton

James Baldwin

Richard Wright

Sandra Cisneros

Amy Tan

Fact #1

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:17:39 UTC

When looking at architecture, you can see the impact this era had on it. Postmodern architects sought to break away from the minimalist, functional designs of modernism. They often featured styles from different periods and cultures and it embraced ornamentation and decoration, rejecting the stark simplicity of modernist design.

Source: https://facts.net/philosophy-and-thinking/philosophy/40-facts-about-postmodernism/

Fact #2

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:40:27 UTC

Postmodernism has made its way into popular culture, shaping everything from films to fashion. When it comes to fashion, it often involves mixing styles from different eras and cultures. Music genres like punk and hip-hop have been shaped by postmodern ideas, challenging mainstream norms. Postmodern TV shows like "The Simpsons" use satire and parody to critique society.

Source: https://facts.net/philosophy-and-thinking/philosophy/40-facts-about-postmodernism/

21st century literature

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:48:56 UTC

Set during the Great Depression, Water for Elephants follows Jacob Jankowski, a young veterinary student who joins a struggling circus after his parents' tragic deaths. Told from Jacob’s perspective as both a young man and an elderly nursing home resident, the story explores themes of memory, survival, love, and moral conflict. One of its central themes is the search for dignity and compassion in an often cruel and chaotic world.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43641.Water_for_Elephants

Reflection:

aroberson26 — 2025-07-21 20:52:28 UTC

Looking back at this timeline, I can see how literature has helped me connect more deeply with the history of each time period. The texts we explored didn’t just reflect historical events, they gave voices to the people who lived through them. Through poetry, short stories, and novels, I’ve gained a better understanding of how writers responded to social struggles, cultural shifts, and defining moments in America. This journey has shown me that literature is a powerful lens through which we can feel, question, and better understand history.