1. The Age of Enlightenment
A Nation in Born

2. “Liberty without obedience is confusion, and obedience without liberty is slavery.” William Penn
The thinkers and writers were devoted to ideals of justice, liberty, and equality as the natural rights of man.

3. “Know then thyself, presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is man.” Alexander Pope
Emphasis on rationality rather than tradition.
Scientific inquiry vs unquestioning religion
Representative government instead of monarchy

4. Change in Beliefs
Science had discovered “laws that they did not see as heretical
Newton
World was an orderly system that humans could comprehend
Did not look to the Bible for God, looked to the universe itself
The universe is generous, harmonious
Deists
With the application of intelligence, the human condition could be improved

5. Change in Politics Revolt against British Control The Stamp Act 1764
Boston Massacre 1770
Boston Tea Party 1773

6. Born with morality
Universal belief that we all possess the innate ability to decipher right and wrong
Man’s right to Happiness on Earth

7. Three prevalent American Themes
Man’s reality of America vs the promise of America.
Self-improvement
Society vs self

8. Elements of Continuity
Fondness for Puritan plain style
Pursuit of moral perfection minus the idea of grace
Lingering providential view of America
Preoccupation of recording life in the New World