In architecture, there are many different types of styles that have evolved over the years. In the 19th century United States, you can see a large variety and combinations of previous styles and themes from Europe. A huge part of American architecture is the Greek revival and can be seen today in a large amount of federal as well as public buildings. Many Americans thought of their newly independent country as a new Athens in a democratic sense, which led them to the architecture of ancient Greece. Looking at the columns and domes, it’s easy to see the most evident parts of the Greek revival and how similar the buildings look. Another huge impact on the architecture of America was the City Beautiful Movement in which Americans wanted their cities to be monumental and beautiful looking. The movement itself wasn’t necessarily to promote beautiful architecture, but rather to improve the daily life of citizens by promoting a civil and moral order according to the movement’s planners. However, the movement did in fact help inspire architects to choose a more elaborate and eye catching style for their works. Another very popular style was Neo-Gothic, also known as the Gothic revival. Having its roots in England, this style sought to bring back the architecture of the medieval times. A few aspects of the Gothic style include steep roofs, pointed-arch windows, and arches. Because this style wasn’t as popular as the Greek revival, the Gothic style can be seen in 19th century America by looking at houses as well as churches.
Sources:
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~twp/architecture/gothic/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_the_United_States
