Download Revolutionary Literature 1750-1800

Revolutionary Literature
1750-1800
Julie W. Jordan
American Literature/Composition
Literature
• The literature of the
time period switches
from private/religious
to public/political.
• Most writers had to
pay to publish their
writings.
• Writing contained
sound reasoning and
logical thoughts.
The Age of Reason
• The Age of Reason
occurred during the
18th century.
• Reason and
rationality will replace
mysticism and faith.
• The Scientific
Revolution will occur
during this time as
well.
The Enlightenment
• This period was
marked by reason
over faith and
scientific inquiry over
religious dogma.
• Writers/thinkers were
devoted to justice,
liberty and equality.
Stamp Act of 1765
• This placed a tax on
every printed piece of
paper a colonist used.
• It was seen as an
attempt to raise
money by taxing the
colonies.
• Resistance was
imperative.
The Townshend Acts of 1767
• After the repeal of the
Stamp Act, the
Townshend Acts
placed taxes on paint,
lead, glass, paper and
tea.
• All but the tea tax will
be repealed after
Boston merchants
boycotted.
Boston Massacre, 1770
• In response to
Boston’s boycott of
the Townshend Acts,
British troops were
sent to Boston.
• A street fight occurred
and shots were fired.
• Five Americans were
killed.
Boston Tea Party
• The Townshend Acts
will be repealed
except for the Tea
Tax.
• As a result, a group of
men will dress as
Mohawks and dump a
shipment of tea into
Boston Harbor.
Coercive Acts, 1774
• As punishment for the
Boston Tea Party, the
Coercive Acts (or
Intolerable Acts) will
be passed.
• They were supposed
to restore order.
• They will lead to war.
Lexington & Concord, 1775
• On April 19, 1775,
British troops will
encounter colonial
militiamen.
• The shot fired first
became known as the
“shot heard round the
world.” It will kick off
the American
Revolution.
Yorktown, Virginia, 1781
• The war will end on
October 19, 1781.
• The siege of Yorktown
will culminate with the
British surrender to
combined American
and French forces
under General
George Washington.
Articles of Confederation
• The Articles of
Confederation
created a league of
friendship among the
states.
• The articles were
written to give the
colonies a sense of a
unified government.
The Constitution of the United States
• A firmer document
was needed to
replace the Articles of
Confederation, so the
Constitution was
created.
• This document
creates a model for
cooperative
government.
Patrick Henry, 1736-1799
• Protested British
tyranny
• Symbol of American
struggle for liberty
• Five-term governor of
Virginia
• Delivered the famous
"Give me liberty or
give me death!"
speech.
Thomas Paine, 1737-1809
• Failed out of school at
the age of 12.
• Met Benjamin
Franklin in London in
1774 and emigrated
to America.
• Wrote the American
Crisis which inspired
a flagging army
during the
Revolutionary War.
Thomas Jefferson,
1743-1826
• Credited with writing
the Declaration of
Independence.
• Planter/lawyer
• Well-educated and
inherited wealth from
his family
• Becomes 3rd
president of the
United States
Benjamin Franklin,
1706-1790
• Franklin was a noted
speaker, politician,
inventor, diplomat,
scientist, writer, etc.
(a true Renaissance
man)
• Helped with the
writing of the
Declaration of
Independence