Notes for the textbook until on early American literature.

1. Beginnings Prehistory to 1800s

2. The First Migration Ice Age Travelers Bering land bridge (now submerged) from Siberia By 1490’s millions of Native Americans lived here (Europeans were not the first) Some still live here

4. The Europeans Arrive Explorers Columbus Coronado “New World” – focus of dreams and desires – idealized wealth and resources Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca landed in Florida (1528) and wandered to Texas – wrote narratives of his journey

5. Encomienda Columbus introduced the encomienda system: Colonists could require Indians to mine gold, grow food, build home for them without remuneration. Caused decades of suffering, malnutrition, death. Cabeza de Vaca – imprisoned (under false charges) for humane treatment of Indians

6. Puritan Legacy Central to development of literary tradition Shaped American character through moral, ethical, religious convictions 1620 – Initial landing 1640 – 20,000 Puritans lived in New England Business venture & spiritual venture - intertwined

7. Puritans celebrate Thanksgiving http://pro.corbis.com

8. Puritanism

9. Who Were the Puritans? Protestant groups – wanted to “purify” Church of England Simpler forms of worship, church organization as in New Testament Religion – personal experience No intermediary 1620 – William Bradford led group from Amsterdam to New World – new society patterned after Bible

10. So What? Connection to capitalism: Puritan work ethic, thriftiness, self-sufficiency contributed to the success of capitalism in the New World. America is a capitalistic nation (for the most part) today.

11. Puritan Beliefs Theology: mankind is damned because of Adam and Eve, but some are saved through Jesus. “Elect” – those chosen to be saved “Unregenerate” – those who are damned Outward behavior – indication of God’s grace & salvation

12. Puritan Beliefs, Cont. Led to self-reliance, industriousness, temperance, simplicity – Ideal for starting our in the New World Education: New England Primer – couplets to teach the alphabet used moral lessons: Time cuts down all Both great and small.

14. Puritan Politics Covenant (contract) btwn God & humanity People should enter freely into agreements re: government Mayflower Compact: how they would be governed upon arrival

16. Puritan Government “Elect” should exert influence on government. Led to Salem Witch Trials

17. Bible in America Story of creation, fall, wanderings, recue of human race Life = pilgrimage, journey to salvation Emphasized education -> to read the Bible Harvard College – founded 1636 to train Puritan ministers Diaries and histories – main form of literature – record the work of God

18. Harvard Today

19. The Enlightenment

20. The Age of Reason The Enlightenment – Rationalists Rationalism – the belief that humans can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than rely on religion or a past authority or on intuition. Sir Isaac Newton – gravity & motion God = clockmaker – God created the earth then left it to run on its own

21. Rationalism Cont. God’s gift – ability to reason and think logically Ability to discover truth Able to regulate and improve own life

22. STOP & Compare Puritans Rationalists

23. STOP & Compare Puritans Humanity is evil. Hard work, good life shows salvation. God is active in society. Rationalists Humanity is basically good. Use reason & logic to improve self. Clockmaker God – made it & left.

24. Smallpox!!! Cotton Mather – Puritan Preacher Sin is cause of sickness Borrowed inoculation from Turkish doctor Inoculated hundreds and of those only 6 died. Of others who contracted the disease ¼ had died Inoculation

25. So What? Highlight 2 points: Contradictions often existed side-by-side (Mathew was strict Puritan but also a practical scientist) Mather’s experiment – Practical approach to social change and scientific research was necessary for America. American thought should lead to action & urge to improve public welfare no matter what authorities say

26. Diests Deism: universe is orderly and good. Stressed humanity’s goodness God wants people to be happy Do good to others – make them happy People can be perfected through reason

27. So What? Deisms made the impulse to do good for others one of the nation’s highest goals. Today social welfare is still a top priority. It’s also the topic of a lot of debate.

28. STOP & Compare!

29. STOP & Compare!

30. Inciting a Revolution! How did the rationalist idea that people are basically good help incite a revolution? If the will of the people is basically rational and good, then the gov’t should take its authority from them and not the will of a single monarch Implied that a government that failed to respect the popular will could be legitimately overthrown.

31. Self-Made American Literature rooted in reality Pamphlets – literature should be practical and political After Revolutionary War – organizing and governing is most important

32. Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Used autobiographical form Took out religious justification Clear, witty Provided model for a story to be told repeatedly by others (The Great Gatsby, Bill Gates’ The Road Ahead, etc.)

33. Think About It