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A Nation is Born: Early National Literature (1750-1800)

A Nation is Born: Early National Literature (1750-1800). Historical Background. The Age of Reason. Reason over faith Reason & science would further human progress Basis of government=social contract People good by nature, not evil

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A Nation is Born: Early National Literature (1750-1800)

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  1. A Nation is Born: Early National Literature(1750-1800) Historical Background

  2. The Age of Reason • Reason over faith • Reason & science would further human progress • Basis of government=social contract • People good by nature, not evil • Inspired by works of Galileo, Newton, Voltaire, Rousseau, Locke, Etc.

  3. A Clash of Arms • French and Indian War • Between France & England • Who will control North America?? • British government needed to pay war debt

  4. Stamp Act • Must buy and affix stamps to 54 common items • Mainly printed materials • Letters, bills, newspapers, decks of cards,etc. • Stamp distributors beaten/businesses destroyed • Repealed

  5. Townshend Acts of 1767 • Taxed paper, paint, glass, lead, & tea • When colonists boycotted, Mass. Legislature dissolved & troops sent to Boston • 1770—British troops fired into a taunting mob=Boston massacre • Repealed except for tax on tea • Boston Tea Party

  6. Coersive Acts • Punishment for Boston Tea Party • Shut down port of Boston • Forbade public meetings • Housed British troops in colonists’ homes • 1774=First Continental Congress/British appointed new governor of Massachusetts—Gen. Thomas Gage

  7. “The Shot Heard Round the World” • April 19, 1775 • 700 British troops vs. 70 colonists on Lexington Green (8 American casualties) • British marched on to Concord for another skirmish • Battle of Bunker Hill—Americans killed/wounded over 1000 British soldiers

  8. “The Shot Heard Round the World” • Second Continental Congress met & named G. Washington Commander-in-Chief • Independence declared a year later • American victory at Battle of Saratoga=France formally recognized the new nation • British surrendered at Yorkton, VA in 1781

  9. The New Nation • Articles of Confederation • “league of friendship” • Federal Constitution • Bill of Rights added almost immediately

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