1. The Revolutionary Period (The Age of Reason)
Enlightenment
The Revolutionary Period (The Age of Reason)

2. End of the 17th Century
Presented a challenge to the unshakable faith of the Puritans
Began in Europe with philosophers and scientists

3. “Rationalism”
Rationalism: the belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition.
Reason over faith

4. Deists
Deism: belief in the existence of God on the evidence of reason and nature only, with rejection of supernatural revelation (distinguished from theists).
God created the world but has since remained indifferent to it.

5. View of Man Universe was orderly and good
Believed in the perfectibility of individuals through reason
Best form of worship=do what is best for others

6. Smallpox Plague Ship from the West Indies 1721
Cotton Mather-not your typical Puritan minister
Inoculation (Turkish physician)
Only six of 300 died; 6,000 contracted the disease

7. Self-Made Americans Age of pamphlets, autobiographies, and documents
Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and
Thomas Jefferson
Revolutionary War and The Declaration of Independence
Oration: formal speech, which is often persuasive (rhetorical devices)

8. Education and Work Practical and vocational education
All men can achieve success through work
Importance of liberty
How does this time period illustrate the American dream?