American Revolutionary Ryan & Josh

CharacteristicsBegan the belief of

Deism, which was God does not have direct hand in events on Earth

School age at the time generally did not go past the age of 12

College Education was rare

Most writings were political based

Literature included essays, speeches, and pamphlets

Writings were also about the war (American Revolution)

CharacteristicsAmerican writers

began to work away from the Puritan style writings and ventured out to their own style

Their writings were said to be:LogicalPoliticalOpinion based

Main objective was to find a voice against the European nations

Writings echoed the concepts of the battles and heroes of the time

Major EventsAmerican Revolution

took place during this time which had the biggest influence on the writers

The rides from Paul Revere and William Dawes

The Second Continental Congress meeting

Battle of Bunker Hill

George Washington named President

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was published

Declaration of Independence

Articles of Confederation was adopted

US Constitution was adopted

Major PeopleThomas PainePaul RevereBenjamin FranklinGeorge WashingtonThomas JeffersonJohn AdamsFrancis Scott KeyPatrick Henry

John HancockJames MonroeSamuel Adams

Social DynamicsNewly immigrated

Americans were in high spirit before the war as they were ready to fight for freedom

America offered a bountiful of amenities for the new citizens

However, spirits began to dwindle once the war actually began and winter months grew cold

Once the spirits were low, this is when the great American leaders like George Washington and Thomas Paine began to influence all around

Obviously, during this time, our Founders were beginning the writing for independence

AuthorsPatrick Henry

Helped to write the American Constitution

“Give me liberty, or give me death”

Orator and politician who led the movement for independence

First and sixth governor of Virginia

Best known for his speech he made in the House of BurgessesHenry argued for

the House to mobilize the military into action

Thomas PaineMost influential of

the writers during this time period

Most notable piece of work was “Common Sense”

Famous pamphleteer and writer on religion and politics

“Common Sense” became the most widely read pamphlet in America

Attacked the whole concept of a monarchy

Benjamin FranklinOne of the Founding

Fathers of the United States

Was a leading author, politician, scientist, musician, inventor, and civil activist

Most famous piece of work was Poor Richards Almanack

Frequently wrote under pseudonyms

Later printed Father Abraham’s Sermon

He is credited for the founding of Daylight Savings Time

Wrote about political and religious aspects of the time

Thomas JeffersonMost notably known for

the writing of the Declaration of Independence

Also wrote many other politically based writings such as:Notes on State of

VirginiaJefferson BibleSummary View of Rights

of British America

All of his writings involved either a political or religious motive

However, he did construct an autobiography of himself before his death

Abigail AdamsWrote to her

husband feverishly about including something in the Declaration of Independence regarding women’s rights

“My pen is always freer than my tongue”

Wrote for the equal rights for women

Also wrote about slavery and her own religious beliefs

Wrote 1200 letters to her husband, John Adams, all regarding some aspect of religious or political notion

Common SenseMost known and

popular work during the time

Wrote by Thomas PaineMost widely read piece

of work during the timePresented American

colonists with the idea of freedom away from a monarchy

Also, talked about the current American affairs and what they could do to improve

Made a distinction between government and society

Talks about the military potential of the United States as well

The Age of ReasonAlso written by

Thomas PaineThis writing criticized

the institution of new religion and challenges the legitimacy of the Bible

Was published three separate times and became a best seller in America

Britain feared this writing would cause a revolt and they viewed it more hostile

Talks about the corruption of the Christian Church

Says the bible is not a divinely inspired text, but a mere ordinary piece of work

Star Spangled BannerWas a poem written by

Francis Scott Key while the Americans tried to defend the attack from British Ships during the battle of Fort McHenry

This poem was originally set to the tune of a British song written by John Smith

The poem has four stanzas, but we generally only know the first one as our National Anthem

Recognized as official use for US Navy in 1889

Made the National Anthem in 1931

The Federalist PapersWritten by James

Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay

Series of 85 articles and essays.

Written under the pen name Publius

Madison wrote 26Hamilton wrote 51Jay wrote 5

These articles were used to help get the new Constitution ratified

The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution Declaration Constitution Written by Thomas

Jefferson

The colonies declaring their independence from England.

Adopted on July 4, 1776

Began the Revolutionary War

Written by the Philadelphia Convention

The supreme law of the United States

Written to replace the Articles of Confederation

Ratified on June 21, 1788