A Rationalist's Revolution “The Age of Reason”

Puritanism gives way to Rationalism Puritans Focus: God Form of Government: Theocracy—Divinely appointed government The American: a hard worker, faithful, spiritual and family-oriented The American’s values: based on his relationship to God and his family. Truth: Acquired through emotional experiences Literature: religious, personal texts, poetry based on God and family

The Revolutionary Period 1760 – 1800 Major events: The Stamp Act 1765 The Boston Massacre 1770 The Boston Tea Party 1773 The Revolutionary War 1775-1783 Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776

Rationalism Humans can arrive at truth by reasoning (understanding obtained through cause and effect logic) rather than by relying on past authorities, religious faith or intuition.

Puritanism gives way to Rationalism Focus: The nation Form of Government: The emergence of democracy The American: intellectual, politically-active, self-made man The American’s values: higher education, political debate, survival of the nation Truth: Acquired through intellectual reasoning Literature: speeches, pamphlets, journals, almanacs, brochures and autobiographies Rhetoric: derived from the theories of Enlightenment philosophers and thinkers

The Age of Reason—God’s special gift to humanity is REASON The American struggle for independence was justified largely by appeals to rationalist principles. The Declaration of Independence bases its arguments on rationalist assumptions about the relations between people, God, and natural law.

What did Deists believe? In contrast to the Puritans, Deists believed that God was available to all people all of the time. Deists believed that people are inherently good, that every individual had the gift of reason and with that gift could perfect himself or herself and society.

The Rationalist’s Worldview 1. People arrive at truth by using reasoning. 2. The world operates according to God’s rules, and through the use of reason we can discover those rules. 3. God created the universe but does not interfere in its workings. (clock) 4. People are basically good and perfectible. 5. Since God wants people to be happy, they worship God best by helping and understanding others. 6. Human history is marked by progress toward a more perfect existence.

Rationalism: society can be improved…we move toward a more perfect existence.

Revolutionary Influences John Locke: 17c philosopher Advocated government with the consent of the governed Proponent of government checks and balances Revolution is not only a right, but an obligation in some circumstances All adults were equal, and none had the right to "harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions."

Revolutionary Influences The power of the king (or any government) is derived from the people, who contract to obey their rulers in exchange for law and security. Individuals have a natural right to hold property, and this can never be taken from them without their own consent. If a ruler infringes the terms of the contract that empowers him or seizes property without consent, the people can resist and depose him.

Revolutionary Influences Charles de Montesquieu: French philosopher Separation of powers! Proposed the system of checks and balances that characterizes the U.S. government—executive, legislative and judiciary branches

Key Revolutionary Texts

Speech to the Virginia Convention Patrick Henry

The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson

Common Sense and The Crisis Thomas Paine

Poor Richard’s Almanac Benjamin Franklin

PEOPLE + VALUES + GOVERNMENT THE AMERICAN DREAM The Puritans came to America in search of religious freedom—their American dream. The Rationalists’ desire for autonomy sent them in search of independence from British rule—a new independent nation—their American dream.