1. Rationalism “Age of Reason” The pendulum swings far from Puritans— the obvious dichotomy of time periods

2. Vocabulary Deism Deism American Dream American Dream Connotation Connotation Denotation Denotation

3. Historical Background 1600’s: Scientific Revolution 1600’s: Scientific Revolution Time to reason and experiment Time to reason and experiment Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) Discovers laws of gravity--physics Discovers laws of gravity--physics People want real answers for events People want real answers for events Ex. Smallpox breakout: Boston 1721 Ex. Smallpox breakout: Boston 1721 Cotton Mather (1663-1728) Cotton Mather (1663-1728) Puritan doctor Puritan doctor Inoculates 300 people – saves town!! Inoculates 300 people – saves town!! Creates a life of leisure (faster, easier, better) Creates a life of leisure (faster, easier, better)

4. Historical Background 1700-1800’s: The Enlightenment 1700-1800’s: The Enlightenment Questioning place in life Questioning place in life Technology has created free time to think Technology has created free time to think Ponder: equality, happiness, power, property, government, inalienable rights, freedom, etc. Ponder: equality, happiness, power, property, government, inalienable rights, freedom, etc. American Revolution (1775-1783) American Revolution (1775-1783) Result of Enlightenment in the colonies Result of Enlightenment in the colonies Declaration of Independence (1776) Declaration of Independence (1776)

5. Themes and Beliefs Deism: Deism: God created the universe but does not interfere in its workings God created the universe but does not interfere in its workings Clockmaker Analogy– makes the watch, winds it, then leaves it alone Clockmaker Analogy– makes the watch, winds it, then leaves it alone World operates according to God’s rules –use reason to discover those rules World operates according to God’s rules –use reason to discover those rules “God made it” stories (origin/creation myths) no longer good enough “God made it” stories (origin/creation myths) no longer good enough God wants people to be happy --worship God best by helping other people God wants people to be happy --worship God best by helping other people

6. Themes and Beliefs Conquering vs. surviving nature Conquering vs. surviving nature Birth of cities Birth of cities Self-made Americans emerge Self-made Americans emerge Tradesmen (silversmith, newspapers) Tradesmen (silversmith, newspapers) Making money Making money Education Education Shift from moral teachings to practical/scientific Shift from moral teachings to practical/scientific

7. Form and Style Rooted in reality Rooted in reality Appeals to logic Appeals to logic Forms of writing Forms of writing Practical and sometimes political Practical and sometimes political Pamphlets Pamphlets Newspaper articles Newspaper articles Speeches Speeches The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin First American tale of the self-made man First American tale of the self-made man Beginning of the American Dream Beginning of the American Dream

8. Connections?? Do we see similar Rationalist beliefs and themes today? How? Why? Why/not? Is there any writing, film, music, etc. today that has a similar form or style to the Rationalists? Does this connect with any of your other classes? Studies?