The rapid development of capitalist relations and the identification of a sharp social contrast in social and political life affected the cultural development of the United States. In the first half of the 19th century, the main energy of the nation was spent on improving the economy of the state. There were practically no individuals who would strive to engage in art and invest their money in it. Franklin also said that there are many more great people in Great Britain than in the whole of the United States. The main type of "art" at that time was "striving for the West."
Revolution in culture and attitude
After the end of the Civil War of 1861-1865, a period of industrial development began in the United States. Cities grew before our eyes, land prices spawned an increase in building heights, and by the end of the century, the first skyscrapers appeared in New York and Chicago. If in the first half of the century writers, artists and composers often had little means to fully engage in art, then the second half of the 19th century gave them a chance to realize their ideas.
How art developed as opposed to politics
In American painting, the salon-academic direction was born, which testified to the flourishing of the bourgeoisie in America.
Landscape painting has become a very popular genre, especially the landscape of the Hudson River. Artists try to convey the national wealth of American nature in their works and contribute to further art. Emotional landscapes of M. Heade "The Approaching Storm" and F. Lane "The Bay in Maine" can still be seen in the Museum of Fine Arts. Thanks to the democratic movement, the genre of everyday painting is emerging, in which life in American villages has received special attention. W. Mount showed compassion and respect for African Americans and villagers in his famous paintings "Catching eels in Sethocket" and "The Banjo Player".
National graphics and sculpture at the end of the nineteenth century also seeks to develop. Thomas Nast for the first time in cartoons depicts the leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties in the form of a donkey and an elephant. In many American cities there are monuments in the realistic style. The most popular were the Lincoln monument in Chicago and the statue of General Sherman, which were created by the sculptor Saint-Gaudens.
Theater in America in the nineteenth century was just in its infancy, as many considered it a dangerous spectacle that breeds debauchery. Nevertheless, in the southern part of the country, performances by professional troupes were successful.
The book is a compact and affordable means of introducing culture. At the end of the century, it was easy to acquire not only literary masterpieces and newspapers, but also practical guides on various aspects of life. Teaching activities were also given special attention.
The culture of the United States has been formed for many centuries under the influence of other European countries, but despite the mixing of cultures of different peoples, it has not lost its individuality.
