1. Revolutionary Literature American Lit I

2. Historical Background A. By 1750 America had 4 th and 5 th generation Americans B. They did not object to the rule of English King. C. This changed in 1760-70’s when King George III proposed a number of taxes after the French-Indian war. D. Britain viewed the colonies as a source of income.

3. Historical Background E. Colonists had no say in how they were governed. F. Significant evidence that King George III was insane and incompetent. G. Caused a great deal of discontent.

4. Divine Right of Kings A. A King’s power was believed to come directly from God. B. Absolute power over subjects C. Kings are answerable only to God.

5. Age of Reason/Rationalism A. Groundwork for the U.S. revolution was set up by European Age of Enlightenment B. Scientists, philosophers, and politicians came up with the notion of government based on social contract.

6. Social Contract A. John Locke and Jean Jacque Rousseau established the notion of society as a “contract” between individuals, which allows them to live together in harmony. B. Individuals sacrifice license (the ability to do whatever you want) in exchange for security (from both internal and external threats).

7. Social Contract C. Equal rights are key to a successful social contract. 1. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness 2. Based on the notion that all people who work hard will succeed. 3. Social class is irrelevant to potential for success. 4. People are masters of their own destiny.

8. Revolution Years A. 1754-63: French and Indian War B. England won, but it cost a lot of $$$ C. They began taxing the colonies to pay for the war 1. Stamp Act 1765 2. Townshend Act 1767 D. 1770 Boston Massacre sparks the revolution E. 1774 First Continental Congress meets

9. Revolution Years F. April 19, 1775, 700 British fought with 70 minutemen in Lexington in the first battle of the revolution. G. October 19, 1781 General Cornwallis is surrounded and surrenders to General Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.

10. Constitution A. Articles of Confederation formed a loosely knit cooperative agreement between the colonies. B. No real power given to the central government – the power resided in state legislatures. C. Eventually, this was replaced with the Constitution of the United States. D. First 10 amendments “The Bill of Rights” added shortly thereafter.

11. Literature A. Literature of the time period is mostly magazines and newspapers. B. Focused on political concerns of the period. C. Most of the powerful pieces of the period are persuasive essays written as speeches or letters.