American Culture During the 1820’s and 1830’s
In the 1820’s and 1830’s, the form of the American culture evolved due to the efforts of different people. The changes were on different fronts such as trade, religion, democracy, and literature. Some of these changes and their pioneers are as stated below.
In 1820, the Congress adopted the Compromise of Missouri (National Park Service, 2012). This allowed for the existence of Maine as a Free State and Missouri as a slave state. This was one of the steps to the abolition of slave trade and the respect for human dignity in the land. In terms of economy, William Bucknell saw the pioneering of the Santa Fe Trail through which goods could be transported to and fro southwest and Santa Fei. These opened new trade routes for fur traders hence trade was propagated and the social class of traders arose, such as William Ashley.
In terms of literature, the class of poets started growing after Clement C. Moore wrote the poem “T’was the Night Before Christmas” (National Park Service, 2012). It was also at this time in 1827 when John James Audubon who was an ornithologist produced his work on The Birds of America which was in form of engravings and Noah Webster produced the first American dictionary in 1828. This promoted education in the land.
Mountain climbing and exploration also started during this period, with Jim Bridger being the pioneer who found the Great Salt Lake. Technologically, Michael Faraday discovered the electromagnetic induction in 1821 and Peter Cooper pioneered the first steam locomotive (National Park Service, 2012).
All the above changes have an American characteristic; they were discovered by talented men who were determined and never gave up even when they seemed to be at the verge of failing. All these developments changed the lives of the Americans and the world.
References
National Park Service. (2012). 1820-1830. Retrieved on 10th Oct. 2012 from http://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/1820-1830.htm
