United States History Student Edition

10

INQUIRY ACTIVITY

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

Analyzing Sources: An American Culture Develops ? COMPELLING QUESTION How did the arts reflect the growing American identity?

• SS.8.A.1.7 • ELA.K12.EE.1.1 • ELA.K12.EE.4.1

• SS.8.A.1.1 • SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.1.3 • SS.8.A.1.5

Plan Your Inquiry DEVELOPING QUESTIONS

Background Information The years following the Revolutionary War were a time in which the United States was developing its own identity. Works of art—whether paintings, buildings, poems, or prose—contributed to this ever-emerging sense of “American-ness.” Sometimes, the American identity was clearly expressed, as in paintings of American landscapes, leaders, or victories in war. Other times, it could be more subtle, as in architecture, poetry, or music. This lesson looks at early American works of art and how they contributed to a growing American identity.

Think about how the arts, such as painting and literature, might reflect the people and beliefs of a country, such as the United States during the early years of the republic. Then read the Compelling Question for this lesson. What questions can you ask to help you answer this Compelling Question? Create a graphic organizer like the one below. Write your Supporting Questions in your graphic organizer.

What this source tells me about how the arts reflected a growing American identity

Questions the source leaves unanswered

Supporting Questions Source

A B C D E

ANALYZING SOURCES Next, examine the primary sources in this lesson. Analyze each source by answering the questions that follow it. How does each source help you answer each Supporting Question you created? What questions do you still have? Write these in your graphic organizer.

After you analyze the sources, you will: • use the evidence from the sources • communicate your conclusions • take informed action

» In 1824, Rembrandt Peale painted

this heroic, life-size depiction of George Washington at the Battle of

Yorktown. The painting is more than 11 feet (3.4 m) tall and 10 feet (3 m) wide. Paintings of American leaders and events helped create an American identity. 289

Niday Picture Library/Alamy Stock Photo

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