UNIT 2 AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 1492 Columbus discovered America UNIT 1.

UNIT 2AMERICAN

REVOLUTION

1492

Columbus discovered America

UNIT 1

1620

Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock

UNIT 1

1692

Salem Witchcraft

Trials

UNIT 1

UNIT 21750-1800

A NATION IS BORN

By 1750, there were 4th and 5th generation Americans of European descent living in Virginia and New England.

These people were English subjects and, apparently, satisfied with that status. In fact, few gave much thought to independence.

Between the mid-1760s and the mid-1770s, however, attitudes changed dramatically.

King George imposed a number of regulations that threatened the liberties of the colonists.

With each measure, the outrage in America grew, finally erupting into war.

THE AGE OF REASON

The 18th century is often characterized as the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason.

The writers and thinkers of the Enlightenment valued reason over faith.Unlike the Puritans, they had little interest in the hereafter, believing instead in the power of reason and science to further human progress.

They spoke of a social contract that would form the basis of government.The American statesmen of the Revolutionary Period were themselves figures of the Enlightenment.

Men like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, who not only expressed the ideas of the Age of Reason, but put them into practice.

In contrast to the private, soul-searching of the Puritans, much of the literature produced during the Revolutionary period was public writing: newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, almanacs.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

UNIT 2

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN“THE FAT HE R OF OUR C OUNT RY”

1706 – 1790Age 16: apprenticed as a printer and a writer.

Satirized daily life and politics in Boston.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

SATIREA literary GENRE where shortcomings are held up to ridicule…

SATIREwith the intent of shamingindividuals, and society, intoimprovement.

SATIREAlthough meant to be funny, it’s greater purpose is constructive criticism, using wit as a weapon.

BENJAMIN FRANKLINAt 17, moved to Philadelphia opened a print shop and began writing “Poor Richard’s Almanac”…

were popular books in colonial America.

ALMANACS

ALMANACSA mixture of seasonal weather forecasts, practical household hints, puzzles, and other amusements.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Franklin used a PSUEDONYM

Because he wished to retain his

ANONYMITY!!

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Franklin used APHORISMS,

a brief and forceful saying expressing a general truth.

APHORISMS

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR; YET DON’T PULL DOWN YOUR HEDGE.