American Literature 12,000 B.C.-1800 Native Americans, Europeans, and Conflict

Migration and Discovery Beginning approximately 40,000 years ago and ending approximately 12,000 years ago, Native Americans cross a land bridge at the Bering Strait. They proliferate and form hundreds of distinct groups with different languages, cultures, and social values. 1490s—Europeans begin arriving in the Western Hemisphere

Invasion! Christopher Columbus, beginning in 1492, makes his first of four voyages from Spain to the Americas. For the Native Americans it is the beginning of the end as warfare and disease would ravage their numbers for the next four hundred years (Wounded Knee 1890)

The British and the French 1620—The Pilgrims and the Puritans begin founding settlements in New England 1763—Great Britain wins control of the North American continent from the French (The French and Indian War ends)

Slavery Slavery was an unfortunate fact of life in the American colonies. By 1750 there were over 200,000 slaves in America. Their presence would ultimately lead to Civil War in America (1861-1865)

Revolution! Political unrest began in the mid-1760s as England began taxing the colonies to pay for extended warfare. This unrest would develop into full-fledged war with England in April 1775 . July 4, 1776—The Declaration of Independence; The United States of America is established. America finally wins her war for independence in 1783.

Native American Mythology and Beliefs Cycle of Life—All life is interconnected and part of a sacred cycle. Spirits were believed to inhabit all living things. (conflict) Land Ownership—Land belonged to all and not to individual landowners. (conflict)

Literature The Native Americans had an oral tradition. Thousands of languages were spoken in North America and each tribe had its own origin stories and mythology. (conflict)

Life in the “New World” A collision of cultures—Wars began as Europeans began to immigrate to North America and move steadily westward. Native Americans were killed by both superior technology and by diseases from which they had developed no immunity.

The Puritans The Puritans wanted to “purify” the Church of England (formed when Henry VIII broke from the Roman Catholic Church). They were known for their simple dress, simple religious services, social conformity, homogenous society, desire to convert the natives, and sense of divine mission (New Jerusalem). Many protestants also came to America (Martin Luther—Reformation—1517)

Political and Philosophical Beliefs A “Natural Aristocracy” (Jefferson) --practical, self-reliant pioneers --upward mobility --widespread education (differences)

Beliefs, Continued The Enlightenment—A European intellectual movement that stated that humans possessed natural, “inalienable” rights that could never be taken away. The Declaration of Independence was a natural extension of these beliefs. (differences)