American Art History: Thomas Cole

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Questions and Answers

What does Thomas Cole's 'Course of an Empire' reflect?

The importance of nature conservation

Ancient Greek democracy

Rise and decline of Rome (correct)

Industrial revolution in America

What architectural styles influenced Thomas Jefferson's Monticello?

Palladian and Neoclassical

The Erie Canal was completed in 1825 and halved travel time and transportation costs.

True

What did the Bank Expansion during President Jackson's era primarily rely on?

Belief in bank reserves Signup and view all the answers

What was the main difference between the Whig and Democratic parties in the 1820s?

Their approach to economic growth Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote 'Democracy in America'?

Alexis De Tocqueville Signup and view all the answers

The Women's Rights Convention of 1848 was held in Seneca Falls, New York.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the American Anti-Slavery Society formed in 1833?

Legislation against slavery Signup and view all the answers

Which political action did the Free Soil Movement oppose?

Slavery's expansion into new territories Signup and view all the answers

What grassroots movement emerged to oppose the Slave Power?

Republican Party Signup and view all the answers

What system characterized labor on plantations in the South?

Gang system Signup and view all the answers

What did the Dred Scott decision state about African Americans?

They are not citizens and considered as property. Signup and view all the answers

The Emancipation Proclamation was viewed as a comprehensive solution to slavery.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Underground Railroad?

To help slaves escape to the North and Canada. Signup and view all the answers

Which event triggered the US-Mexico War?

Annexation of Texas Signup and view all the answers

What was the Indian Removal Act signed by Andrew Jackson in 1830?

A law that relocated Native American tribes west of the Mississippi. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the California Mission System established in the 1770s?

Forced assimilation of natives Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Thomas Cole's "Course of an Empire"

Series of paintings created in 1830 by Thomas Cole, leader of the Hudson River School.
Reflects American political debates on national identity, looking back at ancient Rome for guidance.
First painting depicts a savage state resembling colonial frontiers; lone, untamed figure illustrated.
Second painting shows a pastoral scene, tamed wilderness representing a Roman agrarian society.
Third painting presents a prosperous city echoing Roman architectural grandeur, includes elements of corruption.
Fourth painting illustrates societal collapse, ruled by mobs, depicting chaos and disorder.
Fifth painting portrays desolation and ruins, suggesting a desire to avoid repeating Rome’s historical cycle.

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Embodies Jefferson's vision of an idealized pastoral America, with inherent contradictions regarding slavery.
Construction spanned two phases: starting in 1769, highlighting neoclassical influences.
Features design elements from Palladio, resembling Greek or Roman temples with a dome and columns.
Designed by slaves, reflecting societal hierarchies and planned public spaces.

Transportation and Communication Revolutions

Erie Canal construction began in 1817, connecting Midwest to New York City, completed in 1825.
The canal halved travel time and costs, enabling western farmers to supply urban markets, fostering economic growth.
Railroads further integrated remote areas, enhancing connectivity.
The telegraph revolutionized communication, allowing near-instantaneous messaging.

Bank Expansion

Rapid growth of banks, often issuing notes backed only by public trust rather than reserves of gold or silver.
States did not enforce adequate reserve requirements, especially after President Jackson defunded the Second Bank in the 1830s.

Whig vs. Democrat Platforms for Growth and Prosperity

Democrats, aligned with Andrew Jackson, favored minimal government intervention, promoting yeoman households.
Whigs advocated for an active government role in the economy with support for tariffs and national banks.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Rose from harbor pilot in the 1810s to become a prominent steamboat and railroad baron.
A self-made entrepreneur exemplifying American industrial expansion.

Alexis De Tocqueville

Authored "Democracy in America" in 1835, highlighting the vibrant civic engagement of Americans.
Observed widespread participation in public debates, clubs, and media, driven by increasing electoral participation.

Women's Rights Convention

Women's activism gained momentum in the 1840s, focused on benevolence while addressing broader societal issues.
1848 Seneca Falls convention declared "all men and women are created equal."

Anti-Slavery Movement

Formed the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, advocating for a range of anti-slavery actions.
Established the Liberty Party in 1840, signaling an emerging political stance against slavery.

Free Soil Movement

Coalition of the Liberty Party and western congressmen formed the Free Soil Party, opposing slavery’s expansion in new territories.
Ran a presidential ticket in 1848, though the party struggled following the Compromise of 1850.

The Slave Power

Emerged from a mix of confidence and fear in the North, establishing an institutional base for the Republican Party in 1854.

Second Great Awakening

A cultural movement emphasizing individual choice in faith, reflecting broader ideas of personal agency and destiny.

Separate Spheres

Social dynamics placed men in public economies and women in domestic roles, influenced by consumerism and class refinement.

White Racial Supremacy

Emphasis on a racial hierarchy in the North, manifesting in discriminatory practices and violent acts against Black communities.

New Northern Definitions of Freedom

Redefined freedom as belonging to anyone who was not a slave, extending rights to self-ownership and economic competition.

Cotton is King

Phrase coined by Senator James Henry Hammond in 1858, asserting the economic dominance of the South through cotton.

Slave Owners and Small Farmers

Three-quarters of Southern farmers did not own slaves; between 1850 and 1860, the number of non-slaveholding farmers rose significantly.

Abolition and the Union

The publication of "The Liberator" in 1831 marked the rise of stronger abolitionist forces, contributing to tensions over slavery.

The Plantation

By 1860, plantations were crucial to the Southern economy, linked to both national and international markets for staple crops.

The Gang System of Plantation Labor

Utilized to schedule labor demands and enhance productivity, with various subsystems targeted at specific agricultural tasks.

Positive Good Argument

John C. Calhoun argued that slavery provided benefits not only to slaveowners but also to the enslaved, framing it as a natural condition.

Dred Scott Case

Landmark Supreme Court ruling declaring that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not restrict slavery in territories.

Compromise of 1850 & Fugitive Slave Act

Established terms for California’s admission as a free state while strengthening provisions for the recovery of escaped slaves.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

A 1854 law allowing settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide on slavery, leading to conflict known as "Bleeding Kansas."

Republican Party

Emerged as the party of Lincoln, consolidating elements from the Whig party and various anti-slavery factions.

Underground Railroad

Network of escape routes assisting enslaved people in reaching the North and Canada for freedom.

Contrabands of War

Concept introduced by Union General Butler, allowing escaped slaves to be freed as war contrabands supporting the Confederate cause.

Emancipation Proclamation

Limited in scope, it formally permitted the enlistment of Black men into the Union Army.

Black Troops in the Union Army

Enslaved individuals increasingly joined Union forces, contributing significantly to military efforts against the Confederacy.

Impact of the Horse on the Great Plains

Horses, introduced in the 16th century, transformed Native American lifestyles, facilitating hunting and mobility across the plains.

California Mission System

Spanish missions established in the 1770s aimed to convert Native Americans and led to significant cultural impacts and health crises.

Captain James Cook

British sea captain whose 1778 expedition uncovered lucrative furs along the Northwest coast, enhancing trade with local tribes.

Apache Expansion

In the 1780s, Apache tribes sought peace with Spanish forces, aiming to stabilize the region and end cycles of violence.

Cherokee Adaptation

After siding with the British during the Revolution, the Cherokee adapted by integrating aspects of American culture and governance.

Lakota Expansion

Displaced by neighboring tribes with firearms, the Lakota expanded across the plains, leading to tensions over resources and trade.

Joint Occupation of the Pacific Northwest

Involved overlapping territorial claims by the US, Great Britain, and Russia, eventually leading to established borders after 1848.

Comanche Expansion

In the 1800s, Comanche forces expanded their territory, often in conflict with other Native tribes and Spanish interests.

Cherokee Trail of Tears

Resulting from the Indian Removal Act enacted by Andrew Jackson, the forced relocation led to significant suffering among the Cherokee.

US Mexico War

Sparked by the annexation of Texas, culminating in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which significantly expanded US territory at Mexico's expense.

Civil War in the West

Increased hostilities led to conflicts with Native populations, exemplified by campaigns against Apache and Navajo tribes.

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Description

Explore the significance of Thomas Cole's 'Course of an Empire', a pivotal series of paintings from 1830. Delve into the themes of American identity, political debate, and historical reflection as seen through the lens of the Hudson River School. Understand how Cole drew inspiration from ancient civilizations to influence American art and politics.