The New America Beginnings to 1800

Essential Questions Across Time p. 6

What was the New World’s natural environment? Place of wonder Beauty Unprecedented (to Europeans) Not Europe At one with the Place Native Americans did not own the land, but rented it and cared for it Celebrated in myths and folklore Europeans did not share this sentiment

What were the colonists’ attitudes toward the environment? Dream vs. reality Theocracy and government vs. Starvation and harsh climates Independent place and people 18 th century, more secure foothold in place. Enlightenment on independence overtook, America taught Americans how to be American Led to a revolution

What are Early American themes? Wilderness Insight from writers through their self- reflective works Community Pamphlets and newspapers created a sense of independence and unity among colonials Individualism Laws to lyrics gave impression of self- sufficiency and ability (enlightenment)

Social and political forces that affected Early American lit? Puritanism Sin was natural and dangerous, therefore giving strict laws that avoided sinful behavior “Pure” life and simple life/ legalistic in nature The Enlightenment Power of reason, self/national independence Rational argument Native/African Americans Enslavement and need for hope and deliverance Dark, permanent lines in literature

Early American Writing Early writers focused on describing and trying to make sense out of their challenging and new environment Millions of people lived in the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans First relationships between Native Americans and Europeans was cooperative, until the Europeans began to force them off their land

From a colony to a country First colony – Jamestown (1607) Loyal to England but not represented Broke from England and declared “free and independent” in 1776 Founding fathers, Franklin, Jefferson, Hancock, etc. wrote Declaration of Independence Adopted in 1788 – United States was born

Cultural influences Puritan beliefs and values directed people’s lives Struggle with sin a daily mission Felt humans were sinful; some “elect would be spared from hell

Ideas of the age Burst of intellectual energy – Enlightenment Questioned who should hold power “Give me liberty or give me death!” Emphasized reason The Great Awakening – fear that Puritan values were being lost Called for people to rededicate themselves Unified colonists and set new standards Emphasized emotion

Early American Literature Native American Experience 300 cultures, over 200 languages One common activity – storytelling Much oral tradition was lost to European diseases Explorers and Early Settlers Journals, diaries, letters and logs of first settlers (Christopher Columbus) Settlers wrote home and described the landscape

The Puritan Tradition Believed writing was a tool to help understand the Bible Logic, clarity and order are emphasized in their style Sermons warn the dangers of sinful ways

Puritan poets Anne Bradstreet Edward Taylor Poetry is a means of exploring the relationship between the individual and God

Writers of the revolution Focused energies on matters of government rather than religion Publication of pamphlets – Fueled the revolution Reached thousands quickly Thomas Paine Wrote Common Sense Argued that American had a special destiny to be a model to the rest of the world Welcome people from around the world to its free society

Writing that launched a nation Declaration of Independence Argued that natural law would govern (people are born with rights and freedoms) Government protects those freedoms

American Dream Read p , “America Begins With a Promise and a Paradox,” by William L. Andrews. In 2-3 paragraphs, respond to the idea of “the American Dream”. What is it? Based off of this writing, would you believe that America has become all that it was intended to become?