Revolutionary

Period

The Age of Reason

18 Century Age of
Reason, Enlightenment
th

The Enlightenment

Age of Reason began in 17th Century England,

spread to France and Europe, then to colonies
Isaac Newtons discoveries
Natural universe can be understood by any
person
A single mathematical law accounts for natural
movements

Modern science begins weakening faith in

miracles, holy books, idea of divinity of kings

Common Beliefs

1. Faith in natural goodness

2. Perfectibility of a human
3. The sovereignty of reason
4. Universal benevolence
5. Outdated social institutions cause
unsociable behavior

Age of Reason Morality

Benjamin Franklin advocated reasonable

science of virtue
Thomas Paine wrote The Age of Reason
attacked irrationality of traditional Christianity
Theology became rational; religion became
deistic
Deism informal, unorganized religious
movement among upper classes and intellectuals
Idea of God as the Clockmaker engineered the
universe then let it run

Deists believe that

One cannot access God through any organized religion, set of

belief, ritual, sacrament or other practice.
God has not selected a chosen people (e.g. Jews or Christians) to
be the recipients of any special revelation or gifts.
Deists deny the existence of the Trinity as conceived by
Christians.
They may view Jesus as a philosopher, teacher and healer, but not
as the Son of God.
They believe that miracles do not happen.
The "world operates by natural and self-sustaining laws of the
creator.
A practical morality can be derived from reason without the need
to appeal to religious revelation and church dogma.
Deists pray, but only to express their appreciation to God for his
works. They generally do not ask for special privileges, or try to
assess the will of God through prayer.

Revolutionary
War

Timeline
April 19, 1775 September 3, 1783

Signing of the Treaty of

1763 10 February
Paris
Ending the Seven Years War, also known as the
French and Indian War in North America.

Proclamation of 1763
1763

7 October
The intervention in colonial affairs offended the
thirteen colonies' claim to the exclusive right to
govern lands to their west.

Sugar Act
1764

5 April
The first attempt to finance the defence of the
colonies by the British Government.

Stamp Act
1765 22 March
Seeking to defray some of the costs of garrisoning the
colonies, Parliament required all legal documents,
newspapers and pamphlets required to use watermarked,
or 'stamped' paper on which a levy was placed.

Quartering Act
1765

15 May

Colonial assemblies required to pay for supplies to British

garrisons.

Virginian Resolution
1765

30 May

The Virginian assembly refused to comply with the Stamp

Act.

Stamp Act Congress

1765 7-25 October
Representatives from nine of the thirteen
colonies declare the Stamp Act unconstitutional
as it was a tax levied without their consent.

Declaratory Act
1766

18 March
Parliament finalises the repeal of the Stamp Act,
but declares that it has the right to tax colonies

Townshed Revenue Act

1767

29 June
Representatives from nine of the thirteen colonies
declare the Stamp Act unconstitutional as it was a
tax levied without their consent.

Boston Tea Party

1773 16 December
Angered by the Tea Acts, American patriots
disguised as Mohawk Indians dump 9,000 of East
India Company tea into the Boston harbour.

Intolerable Acts
1774
March

May to June

31Boston Port Act, one of the "Intolerable Acts

May 20Administration of Justice Act, one of the "
Intolerable Acts
May 20Massachusetts Government Act, one of the "
Intolerable Acts
June 2Quartering Act of 1774, one of the "Intolerable Acts
June 22Quebec Act, one of the "Intolerable Acts"

Sept. 5-Oct. 26
The First Continental Congressmeets in
Philadelphia
and issues
1780 16 August
- US Defeat at battle of Camden
Declaration
Resolves of the Articles of
17811 Marchand
-Ratification
Confederation
17815 September -Battle of the Capes, denying
British reinforcements or evacuation.
178118 October- Surrender of British forces
under Cornwallis at Yorktown.
1782 5 March -British Government authorises
peace negotiations.
1783 3 September -Treaty of Paris, formally
ending the Revolutionary War
25 May Constitutional Convention
1787 - Adoption of the American Constitution

American Literature

Beginning of 18th Century colonies had one newspaper; by

1800 there were 200 newspapers
Benjamin Franklin began the first American magazine in
Philadelphia in 1741
Franklin exemplified and wrote secular ideas, humanist
concepts, scientific ideas, master of diplomacy; he was
instrumental in starting libraries, schools, hospitals, urban fire
stations, the post office

American writing was patterned on 18th Century English

writing, but lagged behind slightly
American literature in the 18th Century was dominated by
pamphlets, essays, journal articles, newspapers, and the
political documents we still use

Writing that
Launched a Nation

Declaration of Independence articulates

the natural law that would govern America
idea that people are born with rights and
freedoms and that it is the function of
government to protect those freedoms
Constitution of the United States of
America founding document

Enlightenment
Contradictions

American Revolution was an upper-class rebellion

Not everyone benefited from life, liberty, and
pursuit of happiness
Forcible removal of Native Americans became U.S.
policy after revolution
science and reason were used to justify slavery
and the inferiority of darker races

Nevertheless, founding documents have been

interpreted in modern times to support freedoms
and liberties for minorities, the poor, and women

Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790)

Perfect example of poor boy makes good

Born Boston, the 15th child of a poor candlemaker
Apprenticed to brother (a printer)
By 16 yrs. old, a master printer writing for brothers
newspaper
Used pen name Silence Dogood to write satirical comedy on
Boston society, politics, religion
At 17, began publishing Poor Richards Almanack
At 42, wealthy and famous, retired from business to devote
his life to science and public service
Organized American Philosophical Society, the University of
Pennsylvania, first charity hospital; invented bifocals and
lightning rod, made discoveries about electricity

Benjamin Franklin

1757-1775 represented colonies in England

Returned to Philadelphia, named delegate to
Second Constitutional Congress and part of
committee writing Declaration of Independence
1776 Congress sent him to be minister to France,
to seek aid for faltering revolution
Negotiated treaty with France against England 1778
Named delegate to Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia, worked to gain ratification of
Constitution

Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790)

Only American to sign all four documents that

created the Republic:
Declaration of Independence
Treaty of Alliance with France
Treaty of Peace with England
U.S. Constitution
At his death, considered the Father of the United
States
Helped create cult of self-reliance beginnings of
transcendentalism and industrial society
Remains most influential and most read of
American writers

Thomas Paine
(1737-1809)

Born Thetford, England, son of Quaker farmer

and corset-maker
After attending grammar school, worked as
staymaker for his father, then served as sailor,
schoolteacher, government tax collector
By 37, had failed at a variety of professions,
declared a bankrupt
Met Franklin in London, left for America with
letter of introduction from Franklin

Thomas Paine

Published Common Sense January 1776 filled with

rhetoric of revolution, called for independence from
England
Within 5 moths, 100,000 copies distributed in colonies

1776, published first of the Crisis papers argued for

revolution, independence
These are the times that try mens souls . . .

After Revolution, British government charged him with

sedition
Completed The Age of Reason in Paris 1794-96 attacked
irrationality of religion and supported deism; vilified by
clerics and journalists