What was it about? What were the goals?
Like the Realist Movement in France, this was a movement that wanted to portray the lives of ordinary people without idealization. It was meant to be objective rather than subjective. And, because most of these artists worked in or around NYC, they mostly focused on urban scenes and city life--they painted what was around them. And, like the "Realists" in France, they cared more about painting modern life and subjects, than in actually painting realistically - their brush work is actually more closely aligned with that of the Impressionists - just like with Manet who refused to call himself an Impressionist.
It's a bit humorous to consider how highly realistic and detailed many of the Hudson River School painters were, who were still active during this time. It's ironic that, while each leaf, branch, rock, and cloud in a Bierstadt or Church painting was much more accurate than any of the so-called "Realists", yet, the chances of ever finding a scene in the Rockies or Andes just as those two painted it was almost impossible. They certainly moved around the elements of their compositions for a more pleasing and dramatic view, with little regard for how it really looked. This is why the artists of this period are considered to be more "realistic" even if their work looks more painterly and less "real".
A bit of historical context:
America underwent the same kind of technological and economic advancement, and the subsequent social upheaval, as Europe. You could read the historical background for the Realists in France and learn all you need to know. The main American artists of this movement (and the American Impressionists) had all traveled to Europe, and were eager to get the American art market to modernize and follow the trends.
At the turn of the 20th century, 8 artists formed a group that critics panned as The Ashcan School, or the Apostles of Ugliness. This is because they chose to paint the live of the lower and immigrant classes in NYC, as they really were, with no pretenses.
This movement suffered a blow in credibility during the New York Armory Art Show of 1913, where a host of new artworks from Europe were displayed. To the shock and dismay of American artists and collectors, they saw that Europe had gone beyond both realism and impressionism to post impressionism, fauvism, expressionism, cubism, even Dadaism! It was too much. America was behind the times, and a sudden urge to catch up left the Ashcan in the dustbin.
Of course, these artists never gave up their brushes, and went on to create many beautiful and powerful works of art. Edward Hopper was perhaps the most popular of the group and all are still shown regularly in America's leading art museums. They even show Andrew Wyeth occasionally, and begrudge him a bit of space in text books, even though his work and career lie completely outside that of the normal timeline for a respectable realist - the gall he had. But, it is a shame that several artists of the group died in the 1920's and 30's, it certainly hurt the movement.
The underlying philosophy of the period:
It's much the same as with the French Realists. You can see the tremendous influence Edouard Manet had on the group.
How was it represented in the other arts – music,
architecture, and literature?
Realist literature in America was a major movement with leaders like Mark Twain, Jack London, Stephen Crane, and John Steinbeck. The leading "realist" composer of the time was Scott Joplin, who wrote short little pieces for people to dance to.
Was it great?
I think so.
Some leading figures:
Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910)
Thomas Eakins (American, 1844-1916)
Thomas Anshutz (American, 1851-1912)
Rockwell Kent (American, 1882-1971)
Andrew Wyeth (American, 1917-2009)
The Ashcan School:
Robert Henri (American, 1865-1925)
George Luks (American, 1867-1933)
William Glackens (American, 1870-1938)
John Sloan (American, 1871-1951)
Everett Shinn (American, 1876-1953)
George Bellows (American, 1882-1925)
Edward Hopper (American, 1882-1967)
Theresa Bernstein (Polish-American, 1890-2002)
Some of the most famous artworks of the time:
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