CLEP US History I

Answer: C -In his speech, “The American Scholar,” Emerson advocated the creation of new, original ideas intended to create a distinctly American voice. He felt that dependence on tradition led to stagnation, and he called upon the next generation of American scholars to embody their potential through original thought. Arguing that the United States was free to create its own traditions, Emerson cautioned American writers against dependence on European ideas and themes.