Beginning in the early 17th century, American authors and poets began the great change in writing now known as the Romantic Period. This literary movement has many influences, themes, and writing styles that can be highlighted by important works and authors. A promising frontier, new cultures brought by immigration, and a search for spiritual answers were all key influences in the emergence of the Romantic movement. Themes of the Romantic period include nature as refuge, great imagination, and emotional intensity. All of these influences and themes culminate in many different forms of literature, including the poem, the short story, and the essay. A radical departure from the Puritan and Quaker writings of the colonial period in American literature, the Romantic movement was heavily influenced by a changing colonial world. . The United States, hot on the heels of a revolutionary victory, began pushing west. Our founding fathers diligently believed in Manifest Destiny which declared that the United States would one day stretch “from sea to sea.” Such an exciting and promising period catalyzed the creation of a new literary period and inspired its writers to greatly love and appreciate life. The high level of immigration that the United States faced also influenced American literature during the Romantic Movement era. Many new cultures and customs invaded the states and literature, being the social sponge that it is, absorbed much of the content. This included much of the romantic writings of Europeans as well as a new outlook and hope for life that an overwhelming number of immigrants possessed. Another influential piece of the Romantic movement puzzle was religious exploration. The authors were fascinated by the idea of ​​... middle of paper ... Thoreau took the traditional essay and introduced romance and passion into its paragraphs, like many other authors of the Romantic movement. With a new, frightening and transforming world around them, American authors and poets began a shift in literary style that will forever leave its mark on library shelves in the United States and around the world. With influences such as the westward push, the influx of immigrants, and the search for spiritual resolution, it is no wonder that the Romantic period was born. This movement brought many themes such as nature as refuge, great imagination and emotional intensity. The literary medium which included poems, short stories, and essays also changed during this early 17th century movement. Needless to say, the Romantic period of American literature paved the way for future advances in American literature..