Unit 1 What Voices Create a Nation?

Early American literature captures a nation in its infancy. Writers chronicled the tensions and triumphs of the day. Jamestown (1607) Early settlers were making a life for themselves in a foreign world. Diaries, letters, and reports back home recorded the point in history when the world of Europeans first intersected with that of the Native Americans.

Jamestown, the first permanent colony, was established in By 1733, 13 English colonies stretched all along the Atlantic coast.

The first colonists considered themselves English subjects although they didn’t have representatives in British parliament. They exported raw materials to England and imported manufactured goods from Britain. Britain supported the settlers during the French and Indian War ( ) but later tried to tax the colonists on both tea and stamps to recover money lost in the war. Instead, the colonies revolted and in 1776 fought and defeated Britain to declare themselves “free and independent.” The Declaration of Independence (1776)

The Puritans

Many settlers in the 1600s were Puritans, a group of English Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of England and return to simpler ways of worship. Their efforts were unwelcome in England, so many left the country for America to escape persecution (oppression or harassment based on religion, race, beliefs, etc.). Puritan settlers believed: they were chosen by God to create a new order in America. the Bible to be the direct word of God. struggle with sin was a daily mission and the Bible would help them combat human weakness. humans were sinful, but some (the “elect”) could be spared from eternal punishment by God’s grace. hard work, frugality, and mindfulness kept temptation at bay. tended to be inflexible in their faith and intolerant of differing viewpoints (ex: Salem witchcraft trials).

Puritan Writing Puritans believed that writing should be useful—it should help readers understand the Bible and guide them in daily life. Logic, clarity, and order were valued in writing over beauty or adornment. Puritan writing usually featured plain, direct, and powerful language. Some Puritan writing includes histories of the colonies and fiery sermons about the dangers of sinning. Poetry, however, was used as a means of understanding God’s role in peoples’ lives. Anne Bradstreet used her poetry for that exact purpose. Bradstreet’s book of poems, published in 1650, was the first work to be published by an American.

The Enlightenment Burst of intellectual energy in Europe in 1700s. Questioned previously accepted truths about who should hold power in government—wanted government by the people (people give up some rights in exchange for protection of other rights and liberties – “Social Contract.” American colonists adapted these Enlightenment ideals, led by the political writings of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. Gave colonists philosophical footing for revolution and prompted action (Patrick Henry).

The Great Awakening During time of Enlightenment, some people began to worry that Puritan values were being lost. Preachers such as Jonathan Edwards called for people to rededicate themselves to original Puritan vision. Prompted new wave of religious enthusiasm that united diverse colonists. Colonists felt a unifying belief that a higher power was helping Americans set a new standard for ethical life. Emotional piety and [Enlightenment] reason combined and caused people to question British authority, which eventually led to revolution and established democracy.

The Revolution Revolutionary writers focused on matters of government instead of religion. Political writing appeared in the colonies in the form of pamphlets. Pamphlets fueled the revolution by stirring debate and action in response to growing frustration with British rule in the colonies. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence (1776), which stated that natural law (the idea that government should protect the natural rights and freedoms of its people) would be best for America.