1. Individualism: The Ethic of the Middle Class
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Transcendentalism:
Transcendentalism:
Every person possesses an inner light that can illuminate the highest truth and put him/her in direct touch with God
Emerson worried that society was becoming too materialistic and not spiritual – led to an increase in communal societies
He believed that we could only be remade or renewed by getting back in touch with nature and our natural self.

2. Emerson’s Influence: Henry David Thoreau: Margaret Fuller:
Walden – Thoreau lived alone in nature for 2 years
Civil Disobedience – urged individuals to resist unjust laws
March to a beat of a different drummer – avoid social norms
Margaret Fuller:
Argued for women’s social independence
Walt Whitman:
Leaves of Grass – focus on the individual – sometimes suffering is part of the human experience

3. Rural Communalism and Urban Popular Culture
Utopias:
Societies that sought to achieve perfection
The Utopian Impulse:
Shakers:
Founded by Mother Ann Lee
Advocated celibacy, equal rights for women – Marriage is a prison for women
Fourierists
Socialism – ending individual property ownership and capitalism
Oneida – John Humphrey Noyes
“Free love”,
Sought to achieve perfection – believed Jesus had already returned
No marriages.
The Mormon Experience:
Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Encouraged individual success and hard work.
Polygamy was allowed

4. Urban Popular Culture:
Minstrel Shows:
White actors used blackface in shows that promoted racism and stereotypes
“Jim Crow” was a major character
Nativist Movements:
Distain for immigrants
Called for an end to immigration
Aimed mostly at Irish (Catholics) who tended to vote Democrat