Literature of the Revolution

RevolutionaryPeriodThe Age of Reason18th Century Age of Reason, Enlightenment

Age of Reason began in 17th Century England, spread to France and Europe, then to coloniesIsaac Newtons discoveriesNatural universe can be understood by any personA single mathematical law accounts for natural movementsModern science begins weakening faith in miracles, holy books, idea of divinity of kingsThe EnlightenmentFaith in natural goodness Perfectibility of a humanThe sovereignty of reason Universal benevolenceOutdated social institutions cause unsociable behavior

Common BeliefsBenjamin Franklin advocated reasonable science of virtueThomas Paine wrote The Age of Reason attacked irrationality of traditional ChristianityTheology became rational; religion became deisticDeism informal, unorganized religious movement among upper classes and intellectualsIdea of God as the Clockmaker engineered the universe then let it runAge of Reason - MoralityOne cannot access God through any organized religion, set of belief, ritual, sacrament or other practice.God has not selected a chosen people (e.g. Jews or Christians) to be the recipients of any special revelation or gifts.Deists deny the existence of the Trinity as conceived by Christians.They may view Jesus as a philosopher, teacher and healer, but not as the Son of God. They believe that miracles do not happen.The "world operates by natural and self-sustaining laws of the creator.A practical morality can be derived from reason without the need to appeal to religious revelation and church dogma.Deists pray, but only to express their appreciation to God for his works. They generally do not ask for special privileges, or try to assess the will of God through prayer.Deists believe thatRevolutionary WarTimelineApril 19, 1775 September 3, 17837Signing of the Treaty of Paris1763 10 FebruaryEnding the Seven Years War, also known as the French and Indian War in North America.Proclamation of 17631763 7 OctoberThe intervention in colonial affairs offended the thirteen colonies' claim to the exclusive right to govern lands to their west.Sugar Act1764 5 AprilThe first attempt to finance the defence of the colonies by the British Government.Stamp Act1765 22 MarchSeeking to defray some of the costs of garrisoning the colonies, Parliament required all legal documents, newspapers and pamphlets required to use watermarked, or 'stamped' paper on which a levy was placed.Quartering Act1765 15 MayColonial assemblies required to pay for supplies to British garrisons. Virginian Resolution1765 30 MayThe Virginian assembly refused to comply with the Stamp Act.Stamp Act Congress1765 7-25 OctoberRepresentatives from nine of the thirteen colonies declare the Stamp Act unconstitutional as it was a tax levied without their consent.Declaratory Act1766 18 MarchParliament finalises the repeal of the Stamp Act, but declares that it has the right to tax coloniesTownshed Revenue Act 1767 29 JuneRepresentatives from nine of the thirteen colonies declare the Stamp Act unconstitutional as it was a tax levied without their consent.Boston Tea Party1773 16 DecemberAngered by the Tea Acts, American patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians dump 9,000 of East India Company tea into the Boston harbour.

Intolerable Acts1774 May to June

March 31Boston Port Act, one of the "Intolerable ActsMay 20Administration of Justice Act, one of the "Intolerable ActsMay 20Massachusetts Government Act, one of the "Intolerable ActsJune 2Quartering Act of 1774, one of the "Intolerable ActsJune 22Quebec Act, one of the "Intolerable Acts"

Sept. 5-Oct. 26The First Continental Congressmeets in Philadelphia and issuesDeclaration and Resolves1780 16 August - US Defeat at battle of Camden17811 March -Ratification of the Articles of Confederation17815 September -Battle of the Capes, denying British reinforcements or evacuation.178118 October- Surrender of British forces under Cornwallis at Yorktown.1782 5 March -British Government authorises peace negotiations.1783 3 September -Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War25 May Constitutional Convention1787 - Adoption of the American ConstitutionBeginning of 18th Century colonies had one newspaper; by 1800 there were 200 newspapersBenjamin Franklin began the first American magazine in Philadelphia in 1741Franklin exemplified and wrote secular ideas, humanist concepts, scientific ideas, master of diplomacy; he was instrumental in starting libraries, schools, hospitals, urban fire stations, the post officeAmerican writing was patterned on 18th Century English writing, but lagged behind slightlyAmerican literature in the 18th Century was dominated by pamphlets, essays, journal articles, newspapers, and the political documents we still useAmerican LiteratureDeclaration of Independence articulates the natural law that would govern America idea that people are born with rights and freedoms and that it is the function of government to protect those freedomsConstitution of the United States of America founding documentWriting that Launched a NationAmerican Revolution was an upper-class rebellionNot everyone benefited from life, liberty, and pursuit of happinessForcible removal of Native Americans became U.S. policy after revolutionscience and reason were used to justify slavery and the inferiority of darker racesNevertheless, founding documents have been interpreted in modern times to support freedoms and liberties for minorities, the poor, and womenEnlightenment ContradictionsPerfect example of poor boy makes goodBorn Boston, the 15th child of a poor candlemakerApprenticed to brother (a printer)By 16 yrs. old, a master printer writing for brothers newspaperUsed pen name Silence Dogood to write satirical comedy on Boston society, politics, religionAt 17, began publishing Poor Richards AlmanackAt 42, wealthy and famous, retired from business to devote his life to science and public serviceOrganized American Philosophical Society, the University of Pennsylvania, first charity hospital; invented bifocals and lightning rod, made discoveries about electricityBenjamin Franklin(1706-1790)1757-1775 represented colonies in EnglandReturned to Philadelphia, named delegate to Second Constitutional Congress and part of committee writing Declaration of Independence1776 Congress sent him to be minister to France, to seek aid for faltering revolutionNegotiated treaty with France against England 1778Named delegate to Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, worked to gain ratification of ConstitutionBenjamin FranklinOnly American to sign all four documents that created the Republic:Declaration of IndependenceTreaty of Alliance with FranceTreaty of Peace with EnglandU.S. ConstitutionAt his death, considered the Father of the United StatesHelped create cult of self-reliance beginnings of transcendentalism and industrial societyRemains most influential and most read of American writers

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Born Thetford, England, son of Quaker farmer and corset-makerAfter attending grammar school, worked as staymaker for his father, then served as sailor, schoolteacher, government tax collectorBy 37, had failed at a variety of professions, declared a bankruptMet Franklin in London, left for America with letter of introduction from FranklinThomas Paine(1737-1809)Published Common Sense January 1776 filled with rhetoric of revolution, called for independence from EnglandWithin 5 moths, 100,000 copies distributed in colonies1776, published first of the Crisis papers argued for revolution, independenceThese are the times that try mens souls . . .After Revolution, British government charged him with seditionCompleted The Age of Reason in Paris 1794-96 attacked irrationality of religion and supported deism; vilified by clerics and journalistsThomas Paine