The Age of Reason

1
The Age of Reason

• (The Revolutionary Period)
• 1750-1800

2
History

• During the American Revolution
• Patriotism at a high
• America begins to develop their own character
• Focus on reason instead of just faith

3
Genre/Style

• Political pamphlets, essays, travel writing,
  speeches, letters, and documents were the popular
  types of writing.
• The main focus was to be instructive in values
  and the writing style was highly ornate.
• Meant for a public audience (unlike the Puritans
  who focused on private soul-searching.

4
Abigail Adams

• In letters, Abigail campaigned for womens
  rights.
• By reading her letters we learn about the
  customs, habits, and day-to-day life of the
  revolutionary time period.

5
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

• Wrote his autobiography and Poor Richards
  Almanac.
• Invented many things including Daylight Savings
  Time, bifocals, the lightening rod, and swimming
  fins.

6
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

• Considered one of the finest writers of the era.
• The third president of the United States.
• Wrote the Declaration of Independence.

7
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

• Pamphleteer
• Brought to the U.S. by Franklin when he was 37.
  Franklin said he was an ingenious, worthy young
  man.
• Wrote Common Sense (his first pamphlet) in 1776.
• His series of pamphlets called An American Crisis
  helped propel us into war with Britain.
• Remains a model for effective propaganda.

8
Patrick Henry

• On March 23, 1775 he gave his Speech in the
  Virginia Convention.
• His speech is credited with helping convince
  America to go to war.
• At the end of his speech he declared Give me
  liberty or give me death.

9
An Overview of the Time

• A turbulent era and a time of action.
• Theaters, colleges, and the arts flourished.
• Although no novels or plays of importance were
  written (and the short story had not been
  invented) great national literature was written
  and the culture of America changed dramatically.