Early American LitEarly American Lit

Up to the 1800sUp to the 1800s

Early Native AmericansEarly Native Americans Tribes not united Tribes not united

against the European against the European explorationexploration

Many tribes helped the Many tribes helped the early colonies by early colonies by showing them how to showing them how to plant, build canoes, plant, build canoes, and other survival skillsand other survival skills

Many died due to Many died due to diseases brought over diseases brought over from Europefrom Europe

ExplorersExplorers Early writings from Early writings from

explorers like Columbus explorers like Columbus and de Coronado and de Coronado described the New described the New World as peaceful, World as peaceful, unlimited in wealth, and unlimited in wealth, and full of hospitable full of hospitable natives.natives.

Cabeza de Vaca got lost Cabeza de Vaca got lost and wandered for 8 and wandered for 8 years. His journals are years. His journals are the best written record the best written record of life in pre-colony of life in pre-colony AmericaAmerica

The PuritansThe Puritans Harsh and strictHarsh and strict Wanted to “purify” the Wanted to “purify” the

Church of EnglandChurch of England Came over to set up Came over to set up

societies that was societies that was patterned after God’s patterned after God’s word.word.

Not the same as the Not the same as the Pilgrims, but close.Pilgrims, but close.

Great emphasis on Great emphasis on education – founded education – founded Harvard.Harvard.

Salem Witch TrialsSalem Witch Trials During the winter of 1691-During the winter of 1691-

1692, two girls started having 1692, two girls started having seizures. They blamed this seizures. They blamed this on the actions of a witch. on the actions of a witch. The girl accused of witchcraft The girl accused of witchcraft confessed and named off confessed and named off other witches in the town. other witches in the town. This began a vast witch hunt This began a vast witch hunt with the only evidence being with the only evidence being the young girls’ accusations.the young girls’ accusations.

Those who did not confess Those who did not confess and point out other witches and point out other witches were hanged.were hanged.

A total of 150 people were A total of 150 people were convicted. 20 people were convicted. 20 people were executed.executed.

Symbolism in LifeSymbolism in Life

The belief that things that happen in The belief that things that happen in life have meaning.life have meaning.

The Age of ReasonThe Age of Reason

Rationalism – using reason to arrive at Rationalism – using reason to arrive at truth rather than rely on religious or past truth rather than rely on religious or past beliefs.beliefs.

This belief turned America in to a This belief turned America in to a powerhouse for new discoveries.powerhouse for new discoveries.

This occurred near the end of the 1600s. This occurred near the end of the 1600s.

The Smallpox PlagueThe Smallpox Plague 1721 – outbreak in Boston1721 – outbreak in Boston Cotton Mather, a Puritan Cotton Mather, a Puritan

involved in the witch trials, involved in the witch trials, led the cause of led the cause of inoculations to prevent inoculations to prevent and cure smallpox. This and cure smallpox. This went against traditional went against traditional Puritan views. Plus the Puritan views. Plus the idea came from a Muslim.idea came from a Muslim.

The inoculations worked The inoculations worked and bridged the gap and bridged the gap between the Puritans and between the Puritans and the Age of Reason.the Age of Reason.

DeismDeism

The belief that God made it possible The belief that God made it possible for all people to discover natural laws for all people to discover natural laws through God’s gift of reason – nobody through God’s gift of reason – nobody is needed to speak for God.is needed to speak for God.

Stressed humanity’s goodnessStressed humanity’s goodness Practice this by doing the “greater Practice this by doing the “greater

good”good” This mode of thinking eventually led to This mode of thinking eventually led to

the formation of the Declaration of the formation of the Declaration of IndependenceIndependence