Encounters and Foundations to 1800

[In America] individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors . . . will one day cause great changes in the world.~ Michel Guillaume Jean de CrevecoeurEncounters and Foundations to 1800

Native Cultures Thrive in AmericaAmerican Indians had been living in this area for thousands of years before the first European settlers set foot on this continent about 500 years ago.Columbus did not discover a new world; he established contact between two worlds, both already old.- J. H. Parry The Spanish Seaborne EmpireFirst interactions between both groups involved trading: Europeans wanted survival skills and the Indians wanted European textiles, firearms, and steel tools. In the early years, the Indians vastly outnumbered the Europeans. However, the settlers exposed the Indians to diseases that the Indians had no immunity to, such as smallpox. Those who survived the epidemics were to be forced off of their land by the colonists who no longer depended on them for guidance and survival.

Native American Literature: The Oral TraditionWestern literature has its roots firmly planted in the oral tradition (The Odyssey, Beowulf) but never gave Native American literature much respect it wasnt even recognized that American Indians had a literature until the late 1800s. Part of the problem scholars had was translating the texts from hundreds of different languages a task best done by Native Americans themselves (N. Scott Momaday, Louise Erdrich, Simon J. Ortiz)Important Generalizations about Native American Oral TraditionsUse stories to teach moral lessons and convey practical info about the natural worldReflects a view of the natural world that is more inclusive than the one typically seen in Western lit the Native American universe is not dominated by humansAnimals and humans are often interchangeable in myths and folk tales (origin myths may even feature animals as the instruments of creation)All Native American cultures show a keen awareness of the power of metaphor

Speech or oratory often relying on striking similes drawn from nature is a highly developed and respected literary form.American Indian worldview is not a progressive straight line, but of an endless circle (seasons, birth, death, rebirth, repeated ceremonies year after year). The sun still rises in the same sky!

The Puritans Settle in New EnglandFor we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world. . .-John Winthrop, from a sermon delivered aboard the Arabella on the way to New England, spring 1630American Narrative TraditionTravel Narratives: first European explorers undertook long, difficult journeys with a variety of goals. These narratives document the experiences of the first Europeans to cross the North American continent (Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca La Relacion)Tales of Life in North America: described the vast possibilities of life in the Americas and encouraged new settlers to realize their goals advertisements! (Capt. John Smith General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles)Captivity Stories: chronicle the tales of settlers who were kidnapped by Native Americans. These became one of the most widely produced forms of entertainment in North America. Unfortunately, contributed to the decline of relations between the settlers and the Indians. (Mary Rowlandson A Narrative of the Captivity)Slave Narratives: Autobiographical account of the life of an enslaved person (The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano)*Major difference between these narratives and pre-Civil War narratives?Major Difference: Olaudahs narrative actually chronicles his kidnapping from Africa and the stories of his prince hood. It covers the Middle Passage, and his subsequent sale to several masters. Pre-Civil War narratives most often did not cover the middle passage and time in Africa just the horrors of slavery while in America. 6Puritan HistoryPuritan ethic of thrift, hard work, and self-sufficiency contributed to the success of capitalism in the New WorldThe founding of a new society in North America was a business venture as well as a spiritual one Puritans believed that wealth was a sign of Gods favor, so they strove to attain itSpiritual covenant was a useful model for social organization The Mayflower Compact prepared the groundwork for American constitutional democracyPolitical views were sometimes uncompromisingly harsh (1692 Salem witch trials 20 people executed)

The Great AwakeningPeriod of religious revival and revitalization that swept through the American colonies in the early 1700s (similar movement in England, Scotland, and Germany influenced this)People thought that being religious meant trusting the heart and not the head and relying on the Bible for explanation and not human logic. Characterized by preachers who gave fiery, heartfelt sermons to their parishioners (Jonathan Edwards Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God was one of the key figures)Puritan LiteratureBible provided the model Puritans saw direct connections between Biblical events and events in their own livesFavored a plain style of writing and avoided complicated figures of speechThe most common forms of writing diaries and histories were believed to reflect the workings of God (reveal the path from sin to Gods grace, reflected intense piety and strict self-discipline, urged people to awaken and seek spiritual salvation

The Rise of RationalismO ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth!- Thomas PaineThe EnlightenmentIn England, the political and social turmoil of the seventeenth century cause many people to question the divine right of monarchs.Supporters of the Enlightenment believed that humans can discover the truth by using reason rather than relying solely on religious faith or intuitionDisagreed with Puritan beliefs of revelation, divine providence, and final judgment (deism)

Political WritingHelped unite people in the cause for independenceEarly American leaders spread their ideals by sponsoring publication of their own words and making them widely available to the ColonistsThomas Paines 47 pg pamphlet Common Sense (Jan. 1776) is considered to be the most important written work justifying American independence it helped turn the tide of public opinionPaines series of pamphlets The American Crisis urged Americans not to give up the fight for independencePolitical rhetoric in the halls of government: Patrick Henry (March 1775 Give me liberty or give me death speech) and Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence)Persuasive techniques:Emotional appealLogical appeal

Other Literature of the TimesDont forget the ladies!Abigal Adams and her letters to her husband (asked for better treatment of women in the new nation obviously John didnt listen!)Phillis Wheatley, once enslaved, wrote poetry about freedom and independence for all peopleBenjamin Franklins autobiography (popular form of Puritan writing, but without the religious justification)

Do not put such unlimited power into the handsof husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants ifthey could.-Abigail Adams