This is the timeline that we created in class today for the poets we will discuss this semester. Notice how the bulk of these poets lived between circa 1870 and 1970. In other words, most of the poets we will be discussing for this course on 19th & 20th Century American Poetry lived within the same one hundred year period.
What was special about this period, 1870-1970? What were the most important social, cultural, historical, and political events during this time?
Compare our timeline with this timeline of American history. When did the major wars take place? Also look at the cultural, scientific, and world events that occurred at the same time that "our" poets lived and wrote their poetry. How do you think these events may have influenced the writing of our poets?
You can also visit this portal site on American history.
I think one of the best eras for the arts was the early 1900s and very late 1800s. It is interesting that so many of the writers/poets became expatriates during that time, most especially between the two world wards. The USA was more conservative than Europe was, so many of them headed to Paris and London.
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