Historical Highlights Pilgrims land at Plymouth in Dekanawida, a Mohawk visionary, unites American Indian peoples with the Iroquois Confederacy, c Colonists battle the British in the Revolutionary War from 1775 to Encounters and Foundations to 1800 Fast Facts

Literary Highlights Anne Bradstreet publishes the Tenth Muse in Columbus’s journal, published in 1493, describes the North American continent and its people. Benjamin Franklin publishes Poor Richard’s Almanac in [End of Section] Encounters and Foundations to 1800 Fast Facts

History of the Times The first interactions between Europeans and American Indians involved trading. Before the first Europeans arrived, American Indians had lived here for thousands of years. Key Concept: Native Cultures Thrive in America

Europeans relied on American Indians to teach them survival skills. Indians were eager to acquire European firearms, textiles, and steel tools. Mutual curiosity led to increasing interdependence between the cultures. History of the Times Key Concept: Native Cultures Thrive in America Settlers, however, exposed native populations to diseases. The Granger Collection, New York

Literature of the Times Explorers wrote detailed accounts of the American Indians they encountered. Native American literature is rooted in oral tradition. Cabeza de Vaca in the Desert by Frederic Remington. Key Concept: Native Cultures Thrive in America Storytellers were highly valued by their communities. Oral traditions captured myths of origin and histories of certain Native American groups.

Comprehension Check What interactions took place between European settlers and Native Americans? Key Concept: Native Cultures Thrive in America [End of Section]

They also believed that a spiritual contract existed between God and humanity. History of the Times Puritans believed in thrift, hard work, and self-sufficiency. The Puritans’ moral, ethical, and religious convictions helped shape American character. Key Concept: The Puritans Settle in New England

Because political authority was based on religious tenets, the political views of Puritans were sometimes uncompromising and harsh.uncompromising and harsh This contractual agreement became a model for American constitutional democracy. In the Mayflower Compact, the Puritans set out a new form of government. History of the Times Key Concept: The Puritans Settle in New England

The Salem Witchcraft Trials Within ten months, about 150 people had been accused; many were put to death. In 1691, three women were accused of witchcraft. This mass hysteria may have resulted from a fear that extreme action was needed to save political unity. Key Concept: The Puritans Settle in New England

Diaries and histories were the most common forms of literature; they reflected a sense of intense piety and strict self-discipline. Literature of the Times Each life was viewed as a journey to salvation, so Puritans connected Biblical events to events in their own lives. The Bible provided a model for Puritan writing. Key Concept: The Puritans Settle in New England

Comprehension Check Explain three ways in which Puritan beliefs influenced the colonists’ lives. Key Concept: The Puritans Settle in New England [End of Section]

History of the Times A new movement, the Enlightenment, began to spread, fostering a belief in rationalism. European political and social turmoil led people to question the divine right of monarchs. Rationalists believe that reason and intellect, rather than revelation, lead to discoveries of scientific and spiritual truth.Rationalists Inspired by rationalism, the founders of the new country set forth ideals of religious tolerance and individual liberty.founders Key Concept: The Rise of Rationalism

Tinkerers and Experimenters Their writings reflect a rationalist worldview. Prominent American rationalists include: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Thomas Paine. The most prominent rationalist work was Franklin’s The Autobiography Benjamin Franklin Key Concept: The Rise of Rationalism

Forming a New Nation Inspired by rationalist thought, the founders signed the Declaration of Independence from Britain in Many of the arguments in the Declaration are based on rationalist beliefs. George Washington, a rationalist, was elected the first president of United States. George Washington “The Star Spangled Banner” Key Concept: The Rise of Rationalism

Pamphlets, letters, and poetry were popular forms of literature. Most American writing was in response to unfolding political and social events: independence from Britain, the struggle of women to gain equality with men, or the struggle of enslaved African Americans to end slavery. Literature of the Times Key Concept: The Rise of Rationalism The most famous piece of literature of the time period was Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography.

Comprehension Check How did rationalism differ from Puritanism, and what effect did rationalism have on the new American political system? Key Concept: The Rise of Rationalism [End of Section]