Theme Teams: The New Republic - Culture

George Washington

Star-Spangled Banner

  During the New Republic, culture advanced along the subject of two themes: politics and warfare. Paintings were created from the multiple wars that occurred during the five presidencies we have studied. The most popular painters of the New Republic were Benjamin West, Gilbert Stuart, and John Trumball. Benjamin West focused more on portraits and historical scenes, his most celebrated painting was the "Death of General Wolfe" created in 1770 which helped elevate America on an international level. Gilbert Stuart was a student of West and another famous artist named Copley, he mostly painted portraits. He had not only painted a famous Mohawk chief with the American name of Joesph Brant (1786) but had also painted the largely celebrated and famous portrait of George Washington (1792) that is displayed in the White House today. John Trumball was a soldier in the Continental Army and a student of Benjamin West. He focuses on documentary detail and the birth of America. He is featured on the Capital Rotunda, and painted the "Battle of Bunker Hill" created in 1785. Songs were also written using the inspiration from those who have watched a war or informative event take place in the time period. The Star-Spangled Banner written from Francis Scott Key's poem based on the witness of the bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814. It became a very popular anthem not only for the people but also for future presidents. Pieces of literature were influential sources of change throughout the society making new styles and ways of life popular. The "New Man" was a topic of change during the New Republic. Americans saw themselves as a new, virtuous product of many cultures and new ideas that had branched out in America from expansion and immigration. "The Life of Washington"written by Mason Locke Weems was one of the pieces of literature that had influenced the "New Man" because of it's famous tale about the cherry tree that depicted Washington's virtues and was a source of moral entertainment. The New Republic was majorly focused on politics and warfare, songs, literature, and painting were all focused on those two themes expanding culture in a new light.