Trancendentalism

However, as the population increased, so did the urbanization. 1820 saw 7.2% of Americans living in cities whose populations were larger than 2,500 people. By 1840, that number had soared to 92.1%. The American people were realizing that they could not handle this kind of growth. The planning and building of houses was stifled by the inability to keep up with or provide for the mass amounts of people that came to live in the cities. The result was an overcrowding of houses with poor sewage and lighting. The lack of space and housing led to an increase in crime. Immigrants lived in close quarters and there were often conflicts between ethnic groups. Immigration begets racial conflict as urbanization begets slums. However, these conditions proved to lay a rich ground for reform and they contributed to the rise of the popularity of the Transcendentalist movement, whose members were interested in massive social reform. .
             Transcendentalism is a belief in a higher reality that could be perceived. The concept of transcendence was first developed by Plato. He believed in existence of absolute goodness, one beyond description. He stated that it could be perceived only through intuition rather than logic or rationality. German idealists, such as Fichte, Schelling, Husseri were influenced by Kant who in turn inspired New England transcendental philosophers. Ralph Waldo Emerson, considered the father of American Transcendentalism, believed as Kant did, that the inborn philosophies with which mind gives form to its perceptions and makes experience intelligible are transcendental. German idealists, such as Fichte, Schelling, Husseri were influenced by Kant, who in turn stimulated the New England transcendental philosophers, who in turn gave rise to Romanticism in America. .
             The American Romantic Movement came to life during the middle of the 19th century. It was a great influence on the culture of America through then middle of the century.