Age of Reason (1750-1800)

(aka Enlightenment)

-began in Europe w/ scientists & philosophers of 17th & 18th centuries who called themselves “rationalists”

Characteristics of Rationalist thought

1. People arrive at truth by using reason rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religion, or non-rational thought processes like intuition

2. God created the universe but doesn’t interfere with its workings. (Isaac Newton – clockmaker theory)

3. The world operates according to God’s rules, and through the use of reason, we can discover those rules.

4. People are basically good and perfectible.5. Since God wants people to be happy, they worship God

best by helping others.6. Human history is marked by progress toward a more

perfect existence.

Historical Connections….

French & Indian War (actually French vs. English)

1754-1763 – over control of N. America. France lost.*it was here that colonists began to see the British as corrupt and immoral

To pay war debt, the British imposed:*Stamp Act*Tea Act*Townshend Acts (paper, paint, glass, lead, tea…)*Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts)

-punishment closed port of Boston, forbade most meetings, &

allowed British troops to be housed in colonists’ homes

More historical stuff…

• 1774 1st Continental Congress

• American Revolution BeginsApril 19,1775 – 700 British vs. 70 colonists British retreated, lost 273 men (colonists lost 2-8)

• June 1775 – 2nd Continental CongressGeorge Washington named commander of now official army

• 1777 – French recognized independence of colonies and began to commit troops (bitter? )

• War ended 1781

Literature (much different than Puritan lit.)--Public and Political

30+ newspapers, 40+ magazines, Almanacs…

Patrick Henry – persuasive speaker“Speech to the Virginia Convention”

Thomas Paine – also famous for persuasionCommon Sense – pamphlet 1776, ½ million

copies sold!

Hamilton, Madison, Jay – The Federalist Papers (essays)

Philip Freneau – America’s earliest lyrical poet

Popular theme: victory of honest Americans over deceitful foreigners