1. The Age of Faith The Age of Reason 1607-1800
Enlightenment
The Age of Faith
The Age of Reason

2. The Age of Faith 1607-1750 Historical Context A. Puritans and Pilgrims
1. Separated from the Anglican Church of England
2. Religion dominated their lives and writing
B. Work ethic – belief in hard work; simple, no-frills living

3. The Age of Faith Genre / Style
A. Sermons, diaries, personal narratives, slave narratives
B. Instructive
C. Plain style

4. The Age of Faith Major writers: Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)
First published American poet
“To My Dear and Loving Husband”
“If ever two were one,
then surely we. If ever man were
lov’d by wife, then thee.”

5. The Age of Faith Major Writers: Edward Taylor (1645-1729)
Minister; considered the finest Puritan poet
“Huswifery”
“Make me, O Lord, thy spinning
wheel complete.”

6. The Age of Faith Major Writers: Jonathan Edwards Minister
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”
View of God as punitive
and distant; man is
basically evil

7. The Age of Faith Major Writers: John Smith (1580-1631)
General History of Virginia
Jamestown, VA
Pocahontas legend
Adventurer and writer

8. The Age of Reason 1750-1800 Historical Context
A. American Revolution; growth of Patriotism
B. Development of American character / democracy
C. Use of reason
as opposed to
faith alone

9. The Age of Reason Philosophies / Theories
A. Scientists and philosophers begin to investigate nature, human life, and society free from the restrictions of religious belief
B. Philosophers argue the individual's right to decide how to live
C. Progress achieved through education and increasing reliance on scientific reasoning

10. The Age of Reason Genre / Style
A. Political pamphlets, essays, travel writing, speeches, almanacs
B. Instructive in values; highly ornate writing
style
C. Newspapers and magazines gain popularity. Nearly 30 papers and 40 magazines published.

11. The Age of Reason Major Writers A. Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
1. Wife of John Adams & Mother of John Q. Adams
2. In letters, she campaigned
for women’s rights, spoke
against slavery and provided a
glimpse of the Revolutionary
period in Boston.
3. Volume of letters published
in 1840

12. The Age of Reason Major writers B. Benjamin Franklin (1707-1790)
1. Printer, scientist, writer, politician, inventor
2. Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanac
3. Symbol of success gained through hard work and common sense.
4. Promoted social interests such as a public library, volunteer fire department and open communication between scientists (electricity).
5. Helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

13. The Age of Reason Major Writers C. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
1. Considered to be the finest writer
of the era
2. Writer, diplomat, political leader, inventor, architect, philosopher and educator
3. Helped write the Declaration of Independence
3. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”

14. The Age of Reason Major Writers D. Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
1. Pamphleteer
Common Sense
2. “The American Crisis”
helped propel the US to war
3. Model of effective propaganda
Inspired troops and public