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 – Stamp distributors beaten/businesses destroyed – Repealed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 Legislature dissolved & troops sent to Boston 1770—British troops fired into a taunting mob=Boston massacre Repealed except for tax on tea Boston Tea Party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