Intro to Revolutionary Literature
By: Abdul, Travis, Leia, Nick, Samip, Grayson
Intro
The American Revolution was a great turning point in American history because we were finally able to grow as an independent and be recognized for it. America may have been recognized for being a independent country on the political side but culturally they still had ties to Britain. One of the biggest examples of America's dependency on England is America's writing system. The writing system in place at the time for America was an exact copy of England's(Revolution). Due to America copying the English writing system, America was viewed terribly by England which did not encourage writers at the time. The bad view dis-encouraged Writers which led to a low population of them which made them rare. If you found a writer at the time, he would be poor, have a terrible fan base and very little legal assistance(Revolution). It would come to take over 50 years after becoming independent from England for America to find cultural independence(Revolution).
American Enlightenment
The Enlightenment produced numerous books, inventions, scientific discoveries, wars and revolutions. The American and French Revolutions were directly inspired by Enlightenment ideals and respectively marked the peak of its influence and the beginning of its decline.
It was also a time of religious (and anti-religious) innovation, as Christians sought to reposition their faith along rational lines, materialists argued that the universe seemed to determine its own course without God’s intervention.
The enlightenment also lead to the creation of the encyclopedia the dictionary of reason, which brought many authors together to produce an ambitious understanding of human knowledge.
It was also a time of religious (and anti-religious) innovation, as Christians sought to reposition their faith along rational lines, materialists argued that the universe seemed to determine its own course without God’s intervention.
The enlightenment also lead to the creation of the encyclopedia the dictionary of reason, which brought many authors together to produce an ambitious understanding of human knowledge.
Neo-Classicism
Neoclassicism in American History, was a period of when art poetry, epics, and musical works reflected those from the Middle Ages, more specifically Greek. During this time, a poet by the name of John Trumbull, created the mock epic M'Fingal. M'Fingal the story of Scottish loyalist (M'Fingal) and his opposition, Honorius in a town meeting. M'Fingal, much like other American writers during his time, did not succeed in displaying the same sense of romanticism due to their lack of genuine emotion.
Revolutionary Writers
Benjamin Franklin
Important figure in the drafting of the constitution and author of the famous and influential annual book "Poor Richards Almanac", a useful resource for Encouragement, Advice and Factual Information for colonists in America.
Hector St. John de Crevecoeur
This European Author living in America is responsible for a series of letters known as "Letters from an American Farmer". The series of letters depicted a glowing idea of opportunities for peace, wealth, and pride in America. The agrarian paradise that Hector presented in the letters would later give inspiration to Thomas Jefferson. Hector is also known for being one of the first Europeans to develop a considered view for the colonies.
Thomas Paine
The author of the American Revolution known for his political pamphlet "Common Sense" which spiked patriotism throughout the colonies of America. In the writings of "Common Sense" Paine wrote about how the fate of America would depict the fate of the world as a whole. With the pamphlet selling more than 100,000 copies in the first three months would fuel the colonies for revolution and democracy.
Cited Sources
-Intro Source
Revolution to Reconstruction. (1991, September 7). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/literature-1991/democratic-origins-and-revolutionary-writers-1776-1820/introduction.php
-Writers Source
"The Revolutionary Period 1765-1815." Initial Studies in American Letters by Henry Augustin Beers:. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014.
-Neo Classism Source
"Introduction." N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2014.
-American Enlightenment Source
Staff. "Enlightenment." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2014.