The Revolutionary Period American Literature

Overview End of 17 th Century End of 17 th Century Also known as “The Age of Reason” Also known as “The Age of Reason” New ideas in Europe challenged ideas of the Puritans New ideas in Europe challenged ideas of the Puritans The age of “tinkerers and experimenters” The age of “tinkerers and experimenters”

Rationalism The belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on… The belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on… –Authority of the past –Religious faith –Intuition

A New View of God Contrast to Puritan belief that God is actively involved Contrast to Puritan belief that God is actively involved Believed God created the universe and left it to run on its own (like a clock) Believed God created the universe and left it to run on its own (like a clock) How does it run??? How does it run??? –on REASON! (logical thinking)

Important Progress Revolutionary War Revolutionary War Independence from Great Britain Independence from Great Britain Huge emphasis on science and philosophy Huge emphasis on science and philosophy

The Smallpox Plague Came by ship in 1721 Came by ship in 1721 ½ of Boston’s population died ½ of Boston’s population died Cotton Mather: “Let us look upon sin as the cause of sickness.” Cotton Mather: “Let us look upon sin as the cause of sickness.” Started controversial campaign for inoculation Started controversial campaign for inoculation –Conflict between science and religion

Deism Sought principles to unite all religions Sought principles to unite all religions Beliefs Beliefs –The world is orderly and good –People are inherently good –Humans are perfectible (through reason!) Best form of worship is to do good for others Best form of worship is to do good for others –Origins of social welfare programs

Self-Made Americans Belief in the American Dream Belief in the American Dream Classic tale of rags to riches Classic tale of rags to riches ALL people can be successful regardless of heredity ALL people can be successful regardless of heredity Ideals: Ideals: –reason, industriousness, perseverance, self-reliance, progress

Writings Essays Essays Pamphlets Pamphlets PERSUASION PERSUASION Personal narratives: Personal narratives: –Franklin’s Autobiography

Important Writers Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin Patrick Henry Patrick Henry Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson Thomas Paine Thomas Paine