The Romantic Era (roughly 1800-1850) ... artistic revival on the back end of the Age of Enlightenment during the 18th Century (1700s). Literary, musical, and intellectual movement that focused on the human condition and on nature and on ideas of eternity ... and on a more visceral lifestyle than the largely industrial and commercial Enlightenment. In a nutshell, after 100 years of deep though and analysis, art and literature turned back toward the emotional and Romantic ideals of what living (and all things associated with living ... including death) is.
The Romantic Era throughout Europe was largely influenced by the French Revolution - with the execution of Louis XVI kicking off the notion that a "new world" could exist. The Romantic Period included, for the first time, writers and artists and social commentators who embraced the notion of revolution .. both against government and the church. Governments were challenged. The very basis of Christianity ... that there is a God ... was challenged. It is very much an age of rebellion and change (and had a strong influence on the American Revolution). Romantics were, largely, libertarians fighting back against the European monarchies and control by the wealthy.
- As we watch a portion of the YouTube video about the Romantic Era and the focus on Nature, make a list of 15 things you learned from it. Focus on the concept - you do not have to write complete sentences ... bullet points are fine as long as they are clear and not overly vague.
