Neoclassicism and the Revolutionary Period

Lesson Objectives

Identify and explain the political and social nature of the Revolutionary time period.

Explain Neoclassicism, the Enlightenment, and Deists.

The Founding Fathers:Neoclassicists

1750-1820

Emphasized: reason,

harmony, and restraint

In both oral and written communication

Some also embraced Deism

Deism• Dominant philosophy among the educated

classes in Europe and America• Believed human reason capable of solving

social and political problems

• Supreme Being who operates only through natural laws

• No belief in the supernatural• Did not accept Jesus as the Son of God

Based on what we know about Puritans, what might be some major differences between the Puritans and the Neoclassicists?

Age of Reasona.k.a., the Enlightenment

New scientific discoveries and philosophical thinking challenged the role of faith and established an either-or mentality between men of “reason” and men of “faith”

• 4th and 5th generation Americans happily lived as English subjects until….

• King George II imposed regulations that threatened the liberties of the colonists.

• The mind of the nation was on politics and this was reflected in the literature that was produced.

Revolutionary Period Literature

Revolutionary Period Literature

• Unlike the personal writing of the Puritans, the Revolutionary Period produced public political writing

• Nearly 30 newspapers and almanacs were popular in all the colonies

• Much that is known about private life in the period comes from letters

Benjamin Franklin Leading author, political theorist,

politician, printer, scientist, inventor, civic activist, and diplomat

Worked as a printer from his early teens until retirement at 42

Devoted himself to science, inventing bifocals, the lightning rod and the Franklin stove

Best-known as a statesman and diplomat Important role in drafting the

Declaration of Independence Ambassador to England and France

Ben Franklin ContinuedPublished Poor Richards Almanac from 1732-1757

Almanac—a publication containing information, observations, and advice

Franklin’s almanac was especially popular because of the aphorisms he included Aphorism--a terse saying

embodying a general truth Published The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin in 1771

Puritans VS. Founding FathersChristianPlain Puritan stylePersonal, devotional

literature

DeistNeoclassic stylePolitical literature

Similarities?

Believed in community

Intellectual thinkers

Helped shape America