Thomas Jefferson Declaration Of Independence example essay topic

A period in American History till 1900 a) important events b) great figures of the period c) characteristics of several works of art / literature of the period important events The site of the U.S. was originally inhabited by people from Asia. To the first colonists they were known as American Indians. Officially, America was discovered by Christopher Colombus in 1492. Soon, the land was captured by Europeans from the native Indians, who then were either assimilated or forced to leave the area.

The Spaniards reached Florida in 1513 and New Mexico in 1540. The French began their exploration of the Mississippi River valley in 1673 and the Russians reached Alaska in 1741. Of all colonizers, the British were the most succesful. In 1607 Jamestown became the first permanent British settlement in North America and the foundation of the Virginia colony. In 1620, after a conflict with King James I., a community of English Puritans (called Pilgrims) wanted to land in Virginia, but were blown to north to the tip of Cape Code. Then they established Plymouth.

Many of them died during the first winter from starvation and serious diseases. The settler ers who survived celebrated their survival with the feast of Thanksgiving Day. By the middle of the eighteen century the American colonies felt a need for their own identity. However, England aroused the growing resentment (odp or) of the colonists. Britain increased its military presence and The Boston Tea Party started thr struggle for Independence of the thirteen colonies.

The American patriots were led by George Washington. The Independence was declared on July the 4, 1776, and created Articles of Confederation to govern the new nation. George Washington became the first president. As the U.S. moved west, slavery intensified the strains between the industrializing North and the slave-based agricultural South.

The election of Abraham Lincoln the president in 1860, led South Carolina to secede, joined by 10 other Southern states. Abraham Lincoln denied their right to secede and the Civil War (1861-65) broke out. The war was won by the North and the result was the abolition of slavery, the establishment of citizenship for former slaves The post war U.S. was characterised by rapid industrialization, a continuing westward movement across the Great Planes. Great figures of the period Christopher Colombus - first man from so called civilised world who discovered America in 1492.

George Washington -leader of american patriots in te fight for independence- after declaring the Independence, he became the first American president. Thomas Jefferson- 1776 - import nat person in the fight for independence, composed the document "Declaration of Independence", Benjamin Franklin - 1776 - helped with "Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation. He was not only one of the fathers of the United States of America but also the father of American literature. Abraham Lincoln - 1861-65 - key person in the Civil War. Works of art / literature of the period 18th century - Benjamin Franklin - besides his political role, he wrote some excellent works: Autobiography, Experiments and Observation on Electricity as he was also discoverer and inventor. - Thomas Jefferson - Declaration of Independence, Notes on the State of Virginia 19th century - Edgar Allan Poe - is best known for his poems, short fiction and literary criticism.

He is credited with inventing detective story and his psychological thrillers have influenced writers world-wide. E.A. Poe was very interested in the darker side of human nature. Among his most famous works belong: The Pit and Pendulum, The Black Cat, The Raven - Harriet Beecher Stowe - known for her first novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. She focused public interest on the issue of slavery and was deeply controversial. In writing her book, she drew from her personal experience as she was living in the state of Ohio which was a slave state.

She became a celebrity, speaking against slavery both in America and Europe. - Herman Melville - one of America's greatest novelists. Most important material for his books became life at sea as he was a sailor. Works: Red burn - Emily Dickinson - is known for her poetry.

- Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) - The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc.