1. AGE OF REASON- AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT 18 TH CENTURY AMERICAN LITERATURE Began in Europe with scientists and philosophers of 17 th and 18 th centuries who called themselves “rationalists”.

2. CHARACTERISTICS OF RATIONALIST THOUGHT I. HUMANS ARE MEANT TO SERVE A. Faith in natural goodness- a human is born without taint or sin; the concept of tabula rasa or blank state (John Locke). B. Perfectibility of a human being- it is possible to improve situation of birth, economy, society, and religion. C. Universal benevolence- the attitude of helping everyone. Since God wants people to be happy, worship God best by helping others. D. Outdated social institutions cause unsociable behavior- religious, social, economic, and political institutions, which have not modernized, force individuals into unacceptable behavior.

3. II. REASON ABOVE ALL ELSE A. Echoes of Rene Descartes’ cogito ergo sum or I think, therefore, I am. B. People arrive at truth by using reason rather than relying on the authority of the past, on religion, or non-rational though processes like intuition. C. Human history is marked by progress toward a more perfect existence.

4. III. GOD- DEISM A. Isaac Newton’s clockmaker theory: God created the universe but doesn’t interfere with its workings (wound it up and let it go). B. Thomas Paine: “My mind is my church.” C. The world operates according to God’s rules. Through the use of reason, we can discover those rules. D. Cannot access God through any organized religion, set belief, ritual, sacrament, etc.

5. HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS I. FRENCH & INDIAN WAR (ACTUALLY FRENCH VS. ENGLISH) A. 1754-1763- Control of North America B. France lost C. Colonists began to view the British as corrupt and immoral

6. II. TO PAY THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR DEBT LOTS OF TAXES AND RESTRICTIONS! A. Stamp Act B. Tea Act C. Townshend Acts- paper, paint, glass, lead D. Coercive Acts- Intolerable Acts: Closed the port of Boston, forbade most meetings, & allowed British troops to be housed in colonists’ homes

7. III. THE REVOLUTION A. 1774 1 st Continental Congress- representatives from the colonies convene to decide how to handle matters B. Revolution Begins 1. April 19, 1775 The Battles of Lexington and Concord 2. 700 British vs. 70 colonists 3. British retreats (casualties: British approx. 300; Colonists fewer than 100) C. June 1775 2 nd Continental Congress: George Washington is named commander of the army D. 1777- French recognized independence of the colonies and began to send support E. 1781- War ended

8. LITERATURE I. Public and Political II. Genres A. Persuasion B. Essays: Federalists and Anti-Federalists Papers C. Autobiographies D. Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.