Transcendentalism is an important movement in the history of America. The transcendentalism movement occurred in the nineteenth statement and covered both philosophical, political and literal aspects of the lives of the Americans. The idea of transcendentalism was that America was getting into a new era that would revolutionize the entire nation. Transcendentalism is not a natural progression but rather an extension of the Great Awakening because the ideas were pushed by the need to change the status quo in the United States. The aim of transcendentalism was to make America a great nation that would be unique and admired by all other nations in the world.
Transcendentalism, according to Emerson sought to elevate people to achieve a state of oneness with the universe. The need for transcendentalism was to help people achieve through theexploitation of the abilities that laid within them. They pushed for self-reliance and not believe that redemption that comes from a power beyond this universe. The aim of this idea was to help people think about their personal development and growth. This focus on self-actualization would contribute greatly to the development of America. Self-realization was important for the Great Awakening. The Great Awakening would only be realized if everyone sought to achieve the best through their personal efforts. Emerson focussed on individualism for the realization of a better society. This was done with the help of democracy which was supposed to protect the rights of individuals even as they struggled for their own economic progress.
The believers in transcendentalism sought to separate the influence of democratic government on the realization of the aims of this movement. Henry David Thoreau through his writing emphasized the belief of his teacher Emerson on individualistic development for the realization of a better society. His role was mainly to enlighten the American and show them that they could achieve so much greater if they make good use of their morality, principles and individual strengths in their progress. His believed that there was aneed for aclear distinction between religious and state matters. Henry always urged his readers to have a broader perspective by trying to see beyond the current situation and think of better ways of making the society a greater place.
The transcendentalism idea is considered to have been for the purpose of Great Awakening since it sought to bring even changes in the cultural believes of the citizens of America. This movement had ideas that advocated for change in both personality, and cultural beliefs. Self-reliance found its foundation in both cultural believes and personal experience. A better society could be realized only if people sacrificed the beliefs that were against individualism.
The greatest asset for the transcendentalism idea is the human mind which needed to be transformed first before people could make agreat change in the society. Emerson and his followers advocated for thetransformation of the thoughts and ideas. This was the Foundation of Great Awakening which was to bring great transformation all over America and make it a great nation that would be admired all over the globe.
Transcendentalism is a progression of Great Awakening whose impact would be felt socially, economically and culturally. This idea was actualized through a movement that sought to bring great changes among people. The focus of this idea was a change of the mind to focus on individualistic development that would ultimately bring great progress in the society.
Work cited
Clayton, Katy. "The Scarlet Letter and Transcendentalism." (2009).
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