“The Age of Reason”

1. “The Age of Reason” American Literature during the Enlightenment

2. Age of Reason Top 5 • Long Live the Patriot • Reason is greater than faith. • Success is measured by hard work and common sense. • “God helps them who help themselves.” • Rebellion against tyranny is necessary.

3. Party Like It’s 1699! • The turn of the century saw a turn in the ideals of Puritanical Colonial America. • The “Witch Hunts” were over. • Science and industry (hard work) became more important than spirituality. • The ideals of Deism became more pervasive in society.

4. The Enlightenwha…? • The Enlightenment in Colonial America • Term used to describe the intellectual culture in the Pre-Revolutionary colonies. • Took aspects of the scientific revolution of the late 17th century and applied it to human nature, society, and religion. • Political emphasis was liberty, democracy, republicanism, and religious tolerance. • Enlightenment also referred to as “The Age of Reason”

5. The Age of Reason • Literary Forms of the Age of Reason • Newspapers/Pamphlets • Speeches • Government Documents • A little poetry • Biographies/Autobiographies • No Fiction

6. The Age of Reason • Newspapers • First American newspaper was Publick Occurrences, Both Foreign and Domestick • Boston, 1690 • Printed one issue and was shut down after the Massachusetts royal governor found it offensive • Boston News-Letter won his approval in 1704 • Was careful not to offend authorities

7. The Age of Reason • Speeches • Used to persuade movement towards revolt against England • Famous speech by Patrick Henry – Speech in the Virginia Convention - 1775 • Denounced King George • Urged independence • “Give me liberty or give me death.”

8. The Age of Reason • Thomas Paine • Published Common Sense in January 1776 • Argued that Americans should fight for independence • Published The Rights of Man – 1791-1792 • Support of the revolutionary cause in French Revolution • Imprisoned for speaking out against the execution of the overthrown French king • Wrote The Age of Reason while in prison – 1794

9. The Age of Reason • Government Documents • Declaration of Independence - 1776 • Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce - 1778 • Treaty of Peace - 1782 • The Constitution - 1787

10. The Age of Reason • Poetry • Phillip Freneau • Political writer, newspaper editor • Wrote “A Political Litany” and “American Liberty” • Anticipated the spirit of expansion • PhillisWheatly • The first African-American published poet • Slave who was emancipated following the popularity of her poetry • Wrote “To His Excellency, George Washington”

11. The Age of Reason • Biographies and Autobiographies • Most famous The Autobiography byBenjamin Franklin – 1771 • Written when he was 65 • Wrote three more sections, but only brought to account his life until 1759 • Provided his opinions, advice, achievement, and an understanding of his character

12. Benjamin Franklin - Author • The only contributor to all four of the documents that led to America’s independence • Wrote Poor Richard’s Almanack(1732 – 1757) • Yearly publication • Contained advice, information, observations

13. Benjamin Franklin - Inventor

14. Benjamin Franklin - Inventor • Bifocals • Lightning Rod • Odometer • Fire Department • Daylight Savings Time • Glass Armonica • "Of all my inventions, the glass armonica has given me the greatest personal satisfaction."