1750-1800’s Revolutionary War Constitution Bill of Rights Declaration of Independence

Age of Reason Age of Reason Thinkers New ideas had been arising in Europe and were challenging the faith of the Puritans The Age of Reason began with philosophers and scientists of the 17 and 18th centuries who called themselves Rationalists

Age of Reason Everything could be explained through the use of reason—Nature, science, human progress Nature was a machine to be analyzed

Rationalism The belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, or on religious faith

The Universe Enlightenment brought a new, exciting way of seeing the universe… Universe as an orderly system With application of reason, humanity would comprehend universe (Newton’s Laws)

Comparisons Puritanism “God [is] actively and mysteriously involved in the workings of the universe.” Rationalism Sir Isaac Newton said God is a “clockmaker”. God’s special gift to humanity was reason – “the ability to think in an ordered, logical manner”

Colonies tired of all of England’s taxes, rules, and control Stamp Act Revolutionary War Colonies tired of all of England’s taxes, rules, and control Stamp Act Boston Massacre Boston Tea Party

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZMmPWTwTHc

Age of Reason and War Believe in the common good Whatever is for the common good, comes before personal freedom Nature is good and people are inherently good

Age of Reason and War Valued tradition, clarity, balance and order Sense of optimism Art flourished Science, ethics and government became important

Say What?!?! Enlightenment thinkers got rid of the terms “grace” and “pre-destination” and replaced them with “moral choice” and scientific inquiry. Virtue, order, reason!

Political Pamplets Political pamphlets were very persuasive during this time Helped Patriotism grow and encouraged Revolutionary War Support

Most Influential Writers Phyllis Wheatley Ben Franklin Thomas Paine Patrick Henry Wheatley Paine Henry Jefferson

Patrick Henry “Speech to the Virginia Convention” Leader of the American Revolution and a famous orator who spoke out against British rule of the American colonies Speech to the Virginia Convention Gave a speech to colony of Virginia urging them to start a militia and fight against Britain He won critics over with this speech by illustrating the urgency of breaking from Britain Famous Line: “Give me liberty or give me death”

Thomas Paine Common Sense Pamphlet Supported the American colonist's fight for independence and supported the French Revolution A writer of pamphlets or other short works promoting American colonies to fight against Britain Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain

Phyllis Wheatley Famous Poetry First published African-American poet Was a slave her entire life - she was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston who taught her to read and write and dramatically changed her world Slave poet Phillis Wheatley impressed everyone she met, proving to the world that the color of one's skin does not indicate one's intellect

Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Success as an author led him to take up politics Helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution Played a major role in the American Revolution and negotiated French support for the colonists Franklin’s Autobiography is a famous work of the Age of Reason In his book Franklin draws a vivid picture of his early life and the person he was, telling us about the many contributions he made to society and the kinds of experiences he had

Review Genre/Style Political pamphlets Effects Travel writing Persuasive speeches Effects Patriotism Pride Agreement American character values Basic Beliefs Reason & science over faith Man is naturally good, not evil Freedom must be achieved