A Nation is Born

1750-1800

American Literature

Authors we will read

Benjamin Franklin Michel-Guillaume Jean de Crevecoeur Thomas Paine Thomas Jefferson

The Age of Reason or Enlightenment Writers valued reason over faith. God gave reason to mankind. People are generally good and not evil Humans were born with an innate ethical sense

and had the ability to regulate and improve their own lives.

Sir Isaac Newton said that God was like a clockmaker who created the perfect mechanism of this universe and left it to run on its own.

Belief in the power of science to further human progress.

Scientists – Galileo and Sir Isaac Newton

Historical Period

French and Indian War battle for control of North America

1754-1763- France lost

Britain strengthens control of territories and power of the American Colonies.

Stamp Act 1765 Townshend Act of

1767: taxed normal household goods

Boston Massacre 1770 Boston Tea Party Coercive Acts—in

response to the Tea Party: shut down port of Boston, forbid meetings, allowed British troops to be housed with Colonists (Col. called them the “Intolerable Acts.”)

Historical Period

“The Shot Heard Round the World”

April 19, 1775- battle on the Lexington Green—8 Americans dead

This marks the start of the Revolutionary War

The War ends on October 19, 1781

Literature of the Period

-Much of what was produced was public writing.

--Speeches and pamphlets were used to defend colonial rights.

-By 1776, 30 newspapers existed.

-By Washington’s inauguration,40 magazines existed.

-Almanacs were popular.

Cries for a New Nation

Focus on politics in writing:

Common Sense- important document by Thomas Paine 1776- sold over 100,000 copies within 3 months

The Declaration of Independence – 1776 Thomas Jefferson 1st draft

Other Public Documents

Articles of Confederation- established the “league of friendship” between states. This document fails.

The Federal Constitution replaces the articles.

Bill of Rights added to strength document

Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790 Poor Richard’s Almanac was familiar to most

colonial households.

-provided info about the calendar and weather and also contained aphorisms (an aphorism= a short saying with a message).

Franklin’s Autobiography covers only his early years.

It is considered one of the finest autobiographies in any language.