1. Unit One: American Literature in the Settlement Period
THE NEW WORLD

2. The New World
35,000-8,000 BC-Mongolian tribes cross Bering Land Bridge-migrate into N & S America
Polynesian tribes cross Pacific on rafts-reach S. America

3. The Bering Sea

4. Native Americans Native Americans had diverse and advanced cultures
Maya, Aztec, Toltec, Inca—all advanced cultures in C. and S. America
Most cultures did not have written languages
Cultures rich in myth and oral literature

5. Native American Oral Literature
Oral tradition/oral literature
Oral Lit-passed down by mouth
Myths, chants, prayers, stories, histories
Entertain, educate, pass on culture

6. Myths and Mythology Traditional stories passed down
Explain nature or human nature
Teach moral/religious lessons
Usually have gods and goddesses
Contain supernatural
Old an modern
Mythology-collected myths or beliefs

7. First Contact Vikings land in Newfoundland and Labrador
Viking deep-sea fisherman and explorers
First recorded contact-Leif Erikssen-c AD

8. Marco Polo An explorer who followed his father’s trade route
Route was overland to China
Brought back silk, spices, exotic goods
Opened up the West to the East
Wrote about his travels
Made search for sea trade route desirable

9. Christopher Columbus Set sail in 1492
Sailed west in hopes of finding trade route to China and the East Indies
Landed on Hispaniola/Santo Domingo-1492
Made two other expeditions-found no gold

10. Reasons for Exploration of the New World
Far East trade route
Gold
Claim land/subjects for the king
Adventure
Jobs (ships, fishing)
Fame and favor
Fountain of Youth/cure for diseases/Paradise

11. Reasons for Settlement of the New World
Gold
Land-to claim for king and for personal use
Opportunity-work, food, ownership
Adventure
Money-making
Jobs
Escape from religious persecution
Escape jail time
Fame

12. St. Augustine (FL) 1565 First permanent settlement in the US
Spanish founded it
Near site of “Fountain of Youth”
Colony and military outpost
Protected Spanish gold shipments fr. C. & S. America from pirates

13. Jamestown (VA) 1607 First permanent English settlement in US
Founded by the London Co.
Money-making venture
Captain John Smith/Pocahantas
Tobacco-cash crop

14. Plymouth (MA) 1620 Established by Pilgrims (Puritans)
Escape religious persecution & cultural pollution in Europe & England
“City on a Hill”
Example to the world on how to live

15. Important Dates 1492-Columbus lands in NW 1565-Spanish est
St. Augustine
1585-Roanoke VA
“Lost Colony
1607-English est Jamestown VA
1619-First African slaves to US
1620-Puritans est Plymouth MA
1630-Mass Bay Col-”Great Migration”3
1635-First public school in US in Boston
1636-Harvard Univ est in Boston
1690-Slavery in all colonies
1692-Salem Witch Trials-20 die
“Great Awakening”

16. The Puritans One of many religious, Protestant sects
Wanted to “purify”the Church of England
Was the ruling party in England after Reformation
Denounced after Restoration of monarchy
Persecuted under “Bloody Mary”/ James I

17. Puritan Beliefs Plainness Divine Mission Bible-based laws Grace
“Original Sin”
Physical purgation of sin
Education for all

18. Puritan Beliefs Public confession of sin The “Elect”
Puritan Work Ethic
Devil Incarnate
Cleanliness
Democratic government

19. Puritan Influence in America
Writing-Plain Style
Work ethic
Sense of morality
Example to the world
Plainness-dress and worship styles
Democracy

20. The Wilderness Major influence on life in colonies
Forced colonists to be inventive/creative
Lived closer to nature than Europeans
Room to grow/resources
Hard to govern-law and order

21. Differences Between Northern and Southern Settlement Styles
Poorer soil
Colder climate
Shorter growing season
Largely Puritans
Small land grants/small farms
Tight communities built around a “commons” area
Very interdependent
Southern
Better soil
Warmer climate
Longer growing season-cash crops
Largely Church of Eng
Large land grants-plantations-slave labor
Widely dispersed settlements
Very independent

22. Puritan Literature Plain style-simple words in clear order
(“smooth,clear, short)
God-centered
Spiritual Autobiographies
Poetry
No plays or fiction

23. Pictures