Architecture Case

Architecture Essay

At the end of the war of 1812 Americans began to change and to try and concentrate on their own development and growth. This time period was a "reform" era and people were trying to make the promise of the Revolution come true. In architecture these changes can be seen in building styles. The two main architecture styles that were used were Greek Revival and Gothic Revival. Americans were able to believe in these two world-views at the same time because they both represented the same thing but in their own different ways.

Greek Revival was popular just after the revolution, and it was an attempt to imitate ancient Greek styles. This style was used a lot for new court houses and state capitals because people associated Greece with the highest ideals of democracy and freedom. A very good example of this style is the old Montgomery County Court House.

Gothic Revival started to become popular after 1834, and it was used to appeal to your feelings and emotions. Gothic Revival was very popular with churches and also showed up in more industrial type structures like the Brooklyn Bridge. A good example of this type of style is the Trinity Church located in New York City.

Americans were able to believe in both of these at the same time because they both represented the same thing but in their own different ways. Greek Revival makes you respect power and authority because it brings order, freedom, and common sense. Gothic Revival however makes you respect power and authority because it is a little frightening and it is derived from faith. This is why Americans were able to believe in these two world-views at the same time. It was because they represented the same thing but in different ways and styles.