The Age of Reason/ The Enlightenment/ The Revolutionary Period

What is Enlightenment / The Age of Reason? A period in the 18th century noted for belief in the ability of reason to discover truth, shape society, and shed “light” onto the darkness of ignorance, superstition, injustice, and tyranny.

What are some beliefs concerning Enlightenment or The Age of Reason? People could discover the truth about the meaning of life by “REASON” alone. The natural world, human nature, and social institutions are governed by universal laws. All men are created equal and are endowed with certain natural rights. Governments exist only by the consent of the governed, who are justified in rebelling if their natural rights are violated. No taxation without representation!

What is going on in America? By the end of the 1700s, the Puritan influence on America began to decrease. The 18th-century American enlightenment as a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than tradition. Scientific inquiry instead of unquestioning religious doctrine.  Representative government in place of monarchy. Writers used reason and logic –instead of the teachings of the Bible –to support their arguments.

What is going on in America? 1765 Parliament passes the Stamp Act, which taxes newspapers, almanacs, and legal documents in the colonies. 1770 Boston Massacre (5 civilians die at the hands of British soldiers). December 1773 The Boston Tea Party. 1774 Intolerable Acts passed by King George III ( which, among other provisions, ended local self-government in Massachusetts and closed Boston commerce). April 19, 1775 Revolutionary War begins. July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence approved by Second Continental Congress. 1783 United States wins its independence. 

Philosophy of the time: Pragmatism—truth is measured by practical experience, the law of nature. Deism—belief that God created the world but has no influence on human lives. Man can deduce the existence of a supreme being from the fact that the universe exists rather than because of what the Bible says. (Direct contrast to Puritanism) Idealism—conviction of the universal sense of right and wrong; belief in essential goodness of man.

American Literature Because we had some success creating a political culture, we then became obsessed with creating a literary one. The literature matched the thinking of the time— Americans were moving from the purely religious to the rational, and a strong interest in human nature. Enlightenment thinkers and writers were devoted to the ideas of justice, liberty, and equality (Paine and Franklin).

American Literature American writers were relying heavily on the British style and were harshly reviewed in England. Unfortunately, because most citizens were still closely tied to the British, it would take another 50 years to create this identity. Genres of Literature: Political pamphlets, documents, and speeches. Highly ornate persuasive writing Travel writing Fiction—crude style with generic plot and characters Poetry—political in nature

The Writers of the Time Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790): Silence Dogood Letters, Poor Richard’s Almanac, Autobiography Patrick Henry (1736-1799): Speech to the House of Burgesses in 1775 “Give me liberty or give me death!” Thomas Paine (1737-1809): Common Sense, The American Crisis Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826): Declaration of Independence, The Jefferson Bible, Virginia's An Act of Establishing Religious Freedom. James Madison (1751-1836): Father of the Bill of Rights, The Federalist Papers Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804): The Federalists Papers Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."