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The Influence of the Historical Period

Periods of American Literature

Most experts divide American literature into "periods." We've talked a little about how the unique history of America shaped its writers. Here's a look at the way writing styles and ideas have changed since the beginning.

Periods of American Literature

 1607-1776  Colonial Period
 1765-1790  The Revolutionary Age
 1775-1828  The Early National Period
 1828-1865  The Romantic Period
 1865-1914  The Realistic Period
 1914-1939

 American Modernist Period

 1939-present  The Contemporary Period

Also, American Literature recognizes works of:

African-American Writers

Native American Writers

Let's look at the different periods.