Early American Literature

Pre 1800

Introduction: The Main Theme

Themes Religion

Early colonists left England to separate from the Church of England

Authors were intrigued by theology The Great Awakening influenced many writers

Politics English politics The Revolution The Constitution

Science Studies of natural sciences were popular Many new inventions

Early American History

1600-1700

1600-1700 America English settled on Jamestown,

Virginia 1607 Colonist were dying from

diseases, starvation, attacks. Captain John Smith meets

Pocahontas. 1612, The Dutch use Manhattan

as a fur trading center. Eventually becomes New

Amsterdam Tobacco planted for the first

time by English colonists in Virginia.

1620 - November 9, the Mayflower ship lands at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with 101 colonists.

Cont’d 1630 - John Winthrop leads a

Puritan migration of 900 colonists to Massachusetts Bay.

1636 – Roger Williams found Rhode Island

1638 – Anne Hutchison banished from Massachusetts

Cont’d 1638, The first colonial

printing press is set up in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1640 - 1659 - English Civil War erupts between the Royalists of King Charles I and the Parliamentary army.

1646 - In Massachusetts, the general court approves a law that makes religious heresy

punishable by death.

Cont’d 1652 - Rhode Island enacts the

first law in the colonies declaring slavery illegal.

1660 - The English Crown approves a Navigation Act.

1663 - Navigation Act of 1663 requires that most imports to the colonies must be transported via

England on English ships.

Cont’d 1664 - Maryland passes a law

making lifelong servitude for black slaves mandatory.

1673 - Dutch military forces retake New York from the British.

1681 - Pennsylvania is founded as William Penn, a Quaker, receives a Royal charter with a large land grant from King Charles II.

Cont’d 1686 - King James II begins

consolidating the colonies of New England into a single Dominion depriving colonists of their local political rights and independence.

1693 - The College of William and Mary is founded in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Early American HistoryTimeline: 1700 – 1800

Colonies Expand 1700 - The Anglo population in

the English colonies in America reaches 275,000, with Boston (pop. 7000) as the largest city, followed by New York (pop. 5000).

1706 - January 17, Benjamin Franklin is born in Boston. In November, South Carolina establishes the Anglican Church as its official church.

1712 - In May, the Carolina colony is officially divided into North Carolina and South Carolina.

1714 - Tea is introduced for the first time into the American Colonies.

England Fears for Control 1727 - King George II ascends the English throne. 1729 - Benjamin Franklin begins publishing The

Pennsylvania Gazette, which eventually becomes the most popular colonial newspaper.

1731 - The first American public library is founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin.

1739 - England declares war on Spain. As a result, in America, hostilities break out between Florida Spaniards and Georgia and South Carolina colonists.

War on the French 1750 - The Iron Act is

passed by the English Parliament, limiting the growth of the iron industry in the American colonies to protect the English Iron industry.

1754 - The French and Indian War erupts as a result of disputes over land in the Ohio River Valley. 1758 - In July, a devastating defeat occurs for English forces at Lake George, New York, as nearly two thousand men are lost during a frontal attack against well entrenched French forces at Fort Ticonderoga. French losses are 377 men.

War Tax 1760 - The population of colonists in America reaches

1,500,000. In March, much of Boston is destroyed by a raging fire.

1763 - The French and Indian War ends with the Treaty of Paris. Under the treaty, France gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the English in return for Cuba.

1764 - The Sugar Act is passed by the English Parliament to offset the war debt brought on by the French and Indian War (This taxed the import of textiles to the colonies.)

Rise to Revolt 1770 - The population of the American colonies reaches

2,210,000 persons. 1773 – The Tea act is passed allowing the East India Trading

Co. a three penny per pound tax on tea. During the Boston Tea Party colonial activists disguise themselves as Mohawk Indians then board the ships and dump all 342 containers of tea into the harbor.

1774 - September 5 to October 26, the First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia with 56 delegates, representing every colony, except Georgia.

Revolution 1775 – April 18th, Paul Revere rides to Lexington, to warn

Sam Adams and John Hancock about the British invasion of a weapons depot in Concord. At Dawn on the 19th 70 Massachusetts Militia Men stand guard and an un-ordered shot starts the revolutionary war.

1776 – July 4th. The founding Fathers sign the declaration of independence.

1776 – 1784 July 14 – The Revolutionary War wages. France and Spain ally the United States in their struggle for independence. The War lasted for 8 years; the forces under the command of General Washington, Count de Grasse, and Rochambeau are responsible for allied rebellious victory.

Reconstruction 1786 - Americans suffer from

post-war economic depression including a shortage of currency, high taxes, Bankruptcies, and farm foreclosures.

1787 – A draft of the constitution is drawn up. Federalists agree with a centralized government, similar to that of Britain minus the Monarchy. Anti-Federalists oppose centralized government in exchange for more power to state Govt.

1788 – The Federalist prevail as the Bill of rights is Ratified by a vote of 89 – 75.

Civil Reform 1789 – April 30th, George Washington, at age 57, is sworn in

as the first President of the United States. 1789 - The U.S. Army is established by Congress. Totaling

1000 men, it consists of one regiment of eight infantry companies and one battalion of four artillery companies.

1790 – April 17th, Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84. His funeral draws over 20,000 mourners.

1793 - Cotton Gin invented November 16. Fugitive Slave Act passed, this made it a federal crime to help a runaway slave.

Out with the Old in with the New

1796 - December 7. John Adams is elected second president of the U.S. Jefferson is elected vice president.

1800 - The U. S. capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

1799  - December 14. George Washington dies at Mount Vernon, at Age 67.

Early American Authors1600-1700

Captain John Smith (1580-1631)

Captain John Smith (c. January 1580–June 21, 1631) Admiral of New England was an English soldier, sailor, and author

Remembered for his part in making the first permanent English settlement in north America at

Jamestown, Virginia, and his brief association with the native American girl Pocahontas when they were hanging out with the Powhatan Confederacy and her father, Chief Powhaton

He was a leader of the Virginia Colony between September 1608 and August 1609, and led an

exploration along the rivers of Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay

With his books, he helped get people to follow trails like he did He gave the name New England to that region, and encouraged people with the comment, "Here

every man may be master and owner of his own labor and land...If he have nothing but his hands, he may...by industry quickly grow rich.“

His message attracted millions of people in the next four centuries.

His writings: A True Relation of Such Occurrences

and Accidents of Note as Happened in Virginia (1608)

A Map of Virginia (1612) The Proceedings of the English Colony in

Virginia (1612) A Description of New England(1616) New England's Trials (1620, 1622) The General historiy of Virginia, New

England, and the Summer Isles (1624) An Accidence, or the Pathway to

Experience Necessary for all Young Seamen (1626)

A Sea Grammar (1627) - the first sailors' word book in English

The True Travels, Adventures and Observations of Captain John Smith (1630)

Advertisements for the Unexperienced Planters of New England, or Anywhere (1631)

Edward Winslow (1595-1655)

Edward Winslow was a Pilgrim leader on the Mayflower and was governor of Plymouth colony in 1633, 1636, and 1644

He was born in Droitwich, Worcestershire, England, on October 18, 1595

His first wife was Elizabeth (Barker) Winslow She accompanied him on the Mayflower, and

died soon after their arrival in Plymouth Winslow remarried in May 1621 to Mrs.

Susannah White - this was the first marriage in the New England colonies

Winslow later founded what would become Marshfield in the Plymouth Colony where he lived on an estate he called Careswell.

In 1655 he was the chief of the three English commissioners whom Cromwell sent on his expedition against the West Indies to advise with its leaders Admiral Venables and Admiral William Penn, but died near Jamaica on May 8, 1655, and was buried at sea

His fragments of writings are very important to historians of the Plymouth colony

His Writings: Good News from New England, or a True

Relation of Things very Remarkable at the Plantation of Plymouth in New England (1624)

Hypocrisy Unmasked; by a True Relation of the Governor and Company of Massachusetts against Samuel Gorton, a Notorious Disturber of the Peace (1646), to which was added a chapter entitled "A Brief Narration of the True Grounds or Cause of the First Plantation of New England“

New England Salamander (1647) The Glorious Progress of the Gospel amongst

the Indians in New England (1649).

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) Anne Bradstreet (c. 1612 – September

16, 1672) was a writer and the first notable American poet and the first woman to be published in Colonial America

Born in Northampton, England Married Simon Bradstreet when she

was sixteen Had smallpox when she was younger,

and when she got it again later her joints became paralyzed

She had eight children In 1666 her house burned down, losing

everything Her daughter died soon after, followed

by her son She found religious devotion, knowing

that her children were in heaven She wrote about politics, history,

medicine, and theology Died on September 16th, 1672 in

Andover, Massachusetts at the age of 60

Her Writings: First work was published in London

asThe Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up into America, by a Gentlewoman in such Parts

Contemplations - collection of poems about religion

"Several Poems Compiled with Great Variety of Wit and Learning", which included one of her most famous poems, “To my dear and loving husband”

Early American Authors1700-1800

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1757) Early Life (1703-1730)

Born October 5th, 1703 in New Haven, Connecticut Attended Yale College from 1716 to 1726 Studied theology, philosophy, and natural sciences Supported Calvinism Became a minister in 1727 at Northampton

Life During the Great Awakening (1730-1750) Took part in the religious revival movements in

Northampton Wrote several sermons on the aspects of conversion

A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God (1738) Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741) In the Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God

(1741) Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival (1742) A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (1746)

Later Years (1750-1758) His church at Northampton dismissed him in 1750 Worked as a missionary to the Mahican and Mohawk

families at Stockbridge, Massachussets Later works addressed the “Arminian controversy”

A Careful and Strict Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions of that Freedom of Will… (1754)

The Great Christian Doctrine of Original Sin Defended (1758)

Accepted presidency at the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) in 1757

Died on March 22nd, 1758 due to smallpox inoculation

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Early Life (1706-1723)

Born on January 7th, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts His father put him school with the clergy but could

not afford the years of education he had to receive Became and apprentice printer, working with his

brother James, who owned the New England Courant

His brother didn’t let him write in the paper In 1723, he ran away due to his brother’s abusive

personality Life as a Printer in Philadelphia (1723-1750)

Found work as an apprentice printer Was sent to England by the governor to buy

equipment Once he returned, he started his own printing

business Bought the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1729 In 1733 he started publishing Poor Richard’s

Almanac Helped out with various civil contributions Retired from work in 1749, focusing on science

Stove, Swim fins, Glass armonica, Bifocals, Electricity

Life in England (1750-1775) From 1757 to 1775 he served as a representative

for Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts

Persuaded Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act in 1765

Got involved in the Hutchinson Affair Was condemned in public by the English Foreign

Ministry

Later Years (1775-1790) Elected to the Second Continental

Congress Helped write the Declaration of

Independence Became Ambassador for the French in

1776 Returned to America in 1783 Became President of the Executive

Council of Pennsylvania Served as a delegate to the

Constitutional Convention Died on April 17th, 1970

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Notable Writings: Work Ethic

Poor Richard’s Almanac (1732-1758) The Way to Wealth (1758)

Criticism on the English Rules By Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One (1773) An Edict By the King of Prussia (1773)

Native Americans Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America (1784)

Slavery An Address to the Public (1789) A Plan for Improving the Conditions of Free Blacks (1789) Sidi Mehemet Ibrahim on the Slave Trade (1790)

Other Autobiography (1790)

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) Early Life (1737-1775)

Born on January 27th, 1737 in Thetford, England

Attended school until age 12 Became an apprentice corset maker Sailed out of England to become a privateer Returned to England, establishing his own

corset shop in 1759 Became an excise (tax) officer in 1762

The Case of the Officers of Excise (1772)

Life in America (1775-1783) Emigrated to Philadelphia Started a career in journalism Became editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine Supported the American Revolution

Common Sense (1776) The Crisis (1776-1783)

Return to Europe (1783-1802) Supported the French Revolution

The Rights of Man (1792) Moved to France to join the National

Convention Imprisoned due to his opposition to the

execution of Louis XVI The Age of Reason (1794-1796)

Freed in 1794 thanks to James Monroe

Final Years (1802-1809) Returned to America in 1802

when Thomas Jefferson invited him

Became disliked due to his actions before he moved back

Died on June 8th, 1809

Early American Artists(1600-1800)

John Trumbull (1756-1843)

Born June 6, 1756 Lebanon Connecticut Father was the governor of Connecticut Famous for historical paintings Educated at Harvard Due to a childhood accident he lost use of one

eye which could have influenced his style Was a soldier in the American Revolutionary war. At the Battle of Boston he sketched the British

Fortifications to aid the revolution In 1780 he went to London to study under

Benjamin West who turned him on to the idea of painting small pictures of the war of independence and miniature portraits

When British agent Major John Andre was captured and hanged as a spy in America he was imprisoned for seven months in London because he was a soldier of similar rank in the continental army.

He sold a series of 28 paintings and 60 miniature portraits to Yale University which is the single largest collection of his works.

Died November 10, 1843 New York, New York

John Trumbull’s Paintings

Gilbert Stuart (1775-1828) Born December 3, 1775 Saunderstown Rhode Island Did Lots and Lots of Portraits His most famous work is the portrait of George Washington on the

1 dollar bill Made portraits of the United States first 6 presidents His dad Gilbert Stuart was a Scottish immigrant who worked in the

snuff-making industry His mom Elizabeth Anthony Stewart was part of a prominent land

owning family in Middletown, Rhode Island At 7 he moved to Newport, Rhode Island with his dad. He showed

much aptitude in painting and was tutored by Cosmo Alexander He moved to Scotland with his teacher in 1771 but his mentor

died the next year so he returned home At the onset of the American Revolution he left for England

because the revolution jeopardized his career While there he studied under Benjamin west for 6 years and soon

gained wide acclaim Despite his paintings selling so well he accumulated lots of debt

and was in danger of being sent to a debtors prison so he fled to Dublin, Ireland where he continued to paint and fall further in debt

Eventually he would move back to America and set up a studio in Germantown, Pennsylvania

It was here that he would paint many affluent Americans and become well known as an American artist

He moved to Boston in 1805 where he continued to grow in debt and acclaim

He had a stroke in 1828 that left him partially paralyzed but continued to paint for another 2 years till he died

Since he left his family in such debt he was buried in an unmarked grave that was purchased cheaply

Once his family recovered from debt they were going to move his body to a family cemetery but couldn’t remember the location so they didn’t

Died July 9, 1828 Boston, Mass.

Gilbert Stuart’s Paintings

John Wollaston

Born in England Son of a portraitist John Wollaston He may have received instruction from

a painter in drapery in London before moving to New York where he was a portrait painter

Since those who could actually afford portraits were the rich and affluent that’s who he painted

Died in England

Presentation Sources

http://www.historyhotline.com/AmericanHistoryTimelines.htm http://www.apva.org/history/ http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/a_us_history/1600_1799_timeline.htm http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/a_us_history/1700_1800_timeline.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_washington http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-early.htm http://edwards.yale.edu/research/about-edwards/biography http://www.ushistory.org/paine/index.htm http://www.marylandartsource.org/artists/detail_000000073.html