Why Greek Architecture is popular in the United States

Essay by scottascore09Junior High, 9th grade October 2006

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In the early 1800's many countries such as Britain, Scotland, and The United States began looking to the Greeks for architectural ideas. This was known as The Greek Revival. The Greek Revival dominated American architecture during the early 1800's. It was the first dominant style of architecture in the United States and was able to be found in all regions of the country. The architecture became so popular it became known as the first "national style" in America, and was the first architectural style that reached to the west coast. The Greek style of architecture became so popular because of its beauty, simplicity, and its link to the world's earliest democracy. Originally, America liked Roman architecture more but it was closely related to Britain at the time, so America leaned towards Greek architecture. They did not want to be anything like Britain since they were now independent and they saw Greece as the true home of Democracy, and the Mother of Rome.

Greece had also begun its war of independence against Turkey in 1821, creating sympathy from the newly independent United States.

In the 1780's, Thomas Jefferson became interested in architecture. Jefferson was especially interested in Roman and Greek architecture because of its ties to Greek democracy. In 1785 Jefferson's Virginia State Capitol began to be built and became the first building of the neoclassical movement in the U.S. or Europe. The neoclassical movement occurred in the 17-19th century and it brought back Roman and Greek style.

The Greek Revival became widely known and accepted in The United States as a symbol for the new democracy. Greek names even became popular for places and streets names throughout the northeast of America.

The Greek Revival was also part of a change that was occurring in America. America was...