America’s Family Tree Literature and Language, American Literature McDougal, Littell Literature and Language, American Literature McDougal, Littell

The Native Americans

More than 700 tribes in North America by the time Columbus arrived.

The Native Americans Tribes were highly diverse with different languages, shelters, religious customs and governments.

Native American Poetry and Story an oral tradition served to entertain, to teach, to reinforce tribal customs an oral tradition served to entertain, to teach, to reinforce tribal customs

Native America Poetry and Story presented in the form of myths, folk tales and song

North American Poetry and Story tribal narratives varied a great deal the close relationship between human beings and nature was one theme common to all. tribal narratives varied a great deal the close relationship between human beings and nature was one theme common to all.

The Spanish

Columbus opened the door to a century of Spanish expeditions.

The Spanish Motivated by –adventure –reports of great treasures –the desire to convert the Native Americans to Christianity Motivated by –adventure –reports of great treasures –the desire to convert the Native Americans to Christianity

The Spanish Some found huge amounts of gold and silver but destroyed much of the Native American population in taking it.

The Spanish Many Spanish settlements were missions (church and fort).

The Spanish Missionaries worked to persuade Native Americans to become loyal Spanish subjects Catholic mission workers Missionaries worked to persuade Native Americans to become loyal Spanish subjects Catholic mission workers

Literature of the Spanish personal narratives of the explorers legends from the missionary period (highly romanticized) personal narratives of the explorers legends from the missionary period (highly romanticized)

The English

In 1607, English settlers landed at Jamestown, Virginia.

The English Two-thirds of the colonists died of starvation and disease within seven months.

The English Survivors saved by –corn brought by the Native Americans –John Smith, a new leader, who improved conditions Survivors saved by –corn brought by the Native Americans –John Smith, a new leader, who improved conditions

The English In 1620, the Pilgrims, a religious group seeking religious freedom, arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The English English settlements thrived because the English looked on North America as their home.

The English Spanish and French settlements did not last because the people sought quick fortune and a return to Europe.

English Literature Includes –histories of their experiences in the new land –religious writings Includes –histories of their experiences in the new land –religious writings

A Developing America

Colonial America By the late 1700s, the colonial population consisted of many nationalities.

Colonial America Jean de Crévecoeur, a French immigrant, describes America as a melting pot in his writing.

The Africans

As an institution, slavery in the American colonies began during the early 1600s.

The Africans Slaves came from West Africa and the coast of Central Africa.

African Literature Little literature from the Africans since few were allowed to read or write.

African Literature Published work does exist from some slaves who were freed.

African Literature Includes –slave narratives –writings of Phillis Wheatley (poetry) Includes –slave narratives –writings of Phillis Wheatley (poetry)

African Story A strong oral tradition among the slaves kept alive some personal histories.