IP Blog

1) The format of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The Young American” is written as a manifesto. In this selection he describes what the intentions of the United States government have been in the past, and what he perceives them to be in the future. Emerson relates America’s trade relations and democratic government to its future position as the leading world power. This format differs from most of the other formats we dealt with in the packet; however it demonstrates some similarities to Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.” Paine used this document as propaganda to secure support for the American Revolution. Similarly, Emerson used “The Young American” to increase patriotic sentiment in America and instill confidence in the nation. 

2) The thesis of this article is “America is the country of the future.” Ralph Waldo Emerson reiterates America’s great trade relations, internal developments, and effective government, all of which will eventually lead to America’s development into a world power.

3) Henry David Thoreau would also write in this format, and share many of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s beliefs. Both of them were transcendentalists and expressed the same views regarding America’s success as a world power.

Extra Cedit: This song was played because it expressed the belief that children are our future because they will determine our fate. This is the same basic belief expressed by Ralph aldo Emerson in “ The Young American.”