Post on 03-Jan-2016
Early American Writing
1600-1800
Key Historical Dates
• 1607- Jamestown settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia
• 1619- First enslaved Africans arrive in North America at Jamestown
• 1620- Mayflower pilgrims establish Massachusetts Bay Colony at Plymouth.
• 1624- John Smith publishes The General History of Virginia.
• 1630- William Bradford describes his journey across the Atlantic and pilgrims’ settlement in Of Plymouth Plantation.
Puritan Beliefs-religion was the primary influence on writers of the time period.
• “City upon a hill” idea. Puritans believed that God had chosen them to create a new order in America, much like the Israelites were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament.
• Sin- saw humans as basically sinful, but “the elect” would be spared eternal punishment
• The Bible was seen as the ultimate authority for life and help for sinful man.
• God’s providence (God provides what people need…everything is from Him.)
• God’s sovereignty (God rules…He is in control)