American Enlightenment

1750-1800The Declaration of IndependenceJohn Trumbull, 1818

Big Ideas of the American Enlightenment

Rationalism• Science/Logic• God as

Clockmaker• Deism• Community

Service• Self-

ImprovementThomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Deism Universe is orderly and good

Humanity is good

Individual is perfectible through reason

God’s objective is happiness of creation (all creatures)

Sought principles that united all religions

God is available to all people all of the time

Best form of worship is to help others

Elements of Literature 13-18

source

Self-Improvement: for a nation and for individuals

Toward PerfectionSelf-evident truthsLife, liberty and the

pursuit of happinessAll men are created

equal

Where have we heard those words before? (Hint: It was written by the guy to the left.)

Benjamin Franklin• He that lieth with dogs, shall

rise up with fleas.• A good example is the best

sermon.• Three may keep a secret if

two are dead.• Fish and visitors smell in

three days.• Glass, china, and reputation

are easily cracked and never well mended.

• A small leak will sink a great ship.

Aphorisms from Poor Richard’s Almanac

source

Achieving Moral Perfectionfrom The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin

TemperanceSilenceOrderResolutionFrugalityIndustrySincerity

JusticeModerationCleanlinessTranquilityChastityHumility

See packet, page 29