Early American Writing1600-1800

Native AmericansExplorers and Early SettlersPuritans

The Lure of Land

History demonstrates that people often see land as power. Therefore civilization after civilization fought and continue to fight for ownership of land.

i.e. Roman Empire, British Imperialism, the moon?

What entitles man to claim land as his own?

Exploration

Seek adventure

New routes

Fame and glory

Find riches

What is it that causes people to seek out the unknown?

Europeans Meet Native Americans

Ordinary people describe the countryside, the hardships, and the natives they encounter.

William Wood-Massachusetts Bay Colony

William Bradford-governor of Plymouth Plantation

From Colony to Country

Jamestown-1st permanent colony 1607

Considered themselves as British subjects without representation in Britain

Britain protected –French and Indian War

Britain taxed—Colonists protested

Result-Declaration of Independence 1776

Result-Constitution of the United States 1788

Puritans

English Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of England for simpler rules

Came to America to escape persecution

John Winthrop believed that all humans are sinful and only the “elect” would be saved

All work and no play

Became wealthy

Religiously strict and intolerant

Enlightenment

Question government powers

Move toward democracy-government by the people

People have basic rights: “give me liberty or give me death”

Leaders of the American Enlightenment Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson Patrick Henry Thomas Paine

Great Awakening

Renewed religious fervor

Preacher Jonathan Edwards

Unified colonists that a higher power was helping then to break from Britain’s control.

Native American Literature

Different cultures and languages

Story-telling

Oral tradition “..alive within each of us…living in our blood”

Common themes: reverence for nature and polytheism

Explorers and Early settlers

Accurate first hand accounts gave way to more exaggerated stories of colonial life.

Captain John Smith encouraging more settlers.

Puritan Writers

Direct, powerful, plain language

Useful as a religious tool

Vivid imagery

Cotton Mather’s and Jonathan Edward’s sermons

Anne Bradstreet’s and Edward Taylor’s religious poetry