1. Rationalism
Background and Review

2. Literary Movements
Every literary movement and time period is a reaction to the movement or period that came before it.
[As you learn about the Rationalists, think about how different they are from the Puritans. ]
The Puritans ( ) believed that everything was centered around God and faith. The Rationalists ( ) believed more in reason and logic.

3. The Rationalists
Came from the Enlightenment which was a burst of intellectual energy.
They questioned who should control power in government.
The idea of a government for the people, by the people was born.

4. Writers we will study
Patrick Henry – “speech to the delegates at the second Virginia Convention in 1775” to plead for war.
Thomas Paine – “The Crisis” – pamphlet stirring the debate about revolution in our country.
Benjamin Franklin- His “Autobiography”- that focused on man’s control of his life rather than on God’s will.

5. Rationalism Beliefs All men are created equal.
REASON and LOGIC are most prevalent in literature.
There is a strict separation of church and state.
The form of government is democratic (rule by all people).
Religious institutions are distrusted. They do not have power in politics.