The Colonial and Early National Period
Beginnings-1830
Introduction:
The Colonial and Early National Period begins with the origin myths and the oral tradition of the Native Americans, and ends with political writings and speeches of America's founding fathers. Before anyone in Europe even knew of America's existence, the land was inhabited by Native Americans, like the Navaho and Onondaga, who created their own myths about the beginning of life using animals nature, and passed them down orally through the generations. These myths are seen by many as the beginning of American literature.
The discovery of the "New World" is attributed to Christopher Columbus, who was a Spanish explorer who he landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492. His discovery inspired numerous European explorers to take the journey across the Atlantic, and eventually a new age in exploration. Explorers like Cabeza De Vaca and Garcia Lopez de Cardenas kept accounts of their explorations, and people like Amerigo Vespucci created maps of the New World.
By the early 1600s, the colonization of America had begun. Colonization happened for different reasons. Some, like the Pilgrims at Plymouth and the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, created colonies for religious reasons. Others, like England's colony of Jamestown, were established in hopes of gaining financial prosperity from the New World. The Pilgrims and Puritans created numerous religious works that usually had the purpose of self-examination or provision of spiritual instruction for others. Southern colonies produced more journals and accounts like that of John Smith and William Byrd.
Eventually, the 13 colonies of America were established. America continued to grow both in population and intellect as new people and ideas entered. One of these ideas was the intellectual movement of the Enlightenment, which brought about new ways of thinking and new ideas about government. These new ideas of government contrasted with their English government, and inspired men such as Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and Patrick Henry to challenge England and produce their own ideas about government through political speeches and writings. These works united America as a nation and inspired the colonists to rise up against England's Tyranny. __________________________________________________________________________________
Patrick Henry:
"I know not what course others may take, but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!" -Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was a talented orator, business man, public servant, and patriot. He was born on May 29, 1736 in Studley Virginia, where he would live for the rest of his life. He was the second-oldest of 9 children, and was home-schooled by his father and uncle. Henry was self taught, well-read, and played multiple instruments. His uncle was a Reverend in the Scottish Episcopal Church, and instilled in him from an early age the Christian values that would influence his stances on political issues later in life.
As a child, Henry was a witness to the Great Awakening. This further instilled Christian values in him and taught him the value of powerful oration. Henry began his professional life by running a store his father. He married Sarah Shelton and continued his career path by managing a 600 acre tobacco farm he received as a dowry for her. When a fire destroyed the farmhouse in 1757, he left farming to help his father-in-law manage his tavern. This is where his public career began. The tavern was located across the street from the county courthouse, and he began to read law and watch the trials held at the court. By 1760, he had passed the Virginia bar exam and began to practice law.
As a lawyer, Henry developed a reputation as a powerful and persuasive speaker with his court case in 1763, known as "Parson's Cause." His reputation as a speaker continued to build, and in 1765, Henry won election to the House of Burgesses, where he began to be an early voice of dissent against British policies by speaking out against the Stamp Act of 1765. His comments on the matter were printed and distributed among the colonies. Some agreed with him, and others accused him of treason.
Henry was an active participant in the growing rebellion against the British. His main strength was the ability to present his complex political ideas in a language that was understood by the common man. He was selected to serve as a delegate for the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774. There, he met Sam Adams and other revolutionaries who, together, set the stage for revolution. Henry called for unity between all 13 colonies against Britain. A year later during the Virginia Convention, Henry gave his most famous speech. He called America to action by saying "Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" Not long after, the first shots of the war were fired. Henry became the commander and chief of Virginia's forces, and then the governor of Virgina that same year.
In 1790, Henry chose to leave public service and practice law once more. He received many opportunities such as the Supreme Court justice, secretary of state and attorney general, but he turned them all down. He preferred being with his second wife, Dorothea, and their many children, rather practicing politics. He died on June 6, 1799, at his estate called "Red Hill."
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"I know not what course others may take, but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!" -Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was a talented orator, business man, public servant, and patriot. He was born on May 29, 1736 in Studley Virginia, where he would live for the rest of his life. He was the second-oldest of 9 children, and was home-schooled by his father and uncle. Henry was self taught, well-read, and played multiple instruments. His uncle was a Reverend in the Scottish Episcopal Church, and instilled in him from an early age the Christian values that would influence his stances on political issues later in life.
As a child, Henry was a witness to the Great Awakening. This further instilled Christian values in him and taught him the value of powerful oration. Henry began his professional life by running a store his father. He married Sarah Shelton and continued his career path by managing a 600 acre tobacco farm he received as a dowry for her. When a fire destroyed the farmhouse in 1757, he left farming to help his father-in-law manage his tavern. This is where his public career began. The tavern was located across the street from the county courthouse, and he began to read law and watch the trials held at the court. By 1760, he had passed the Virginia bar exam and began to practice law.
As a lawyer, Henry developed a reputation as a powerful and persuasive speaker with his court case in 1763, known as "Parson's Cause." His reputation as a speaker continued to build, and in 1765, Henry won election to the House of Burgesses, where he began to be an early voice of dissent against British policies by speaking out against the Stamp Act of 1765. His comments on the matter were printed and distributed among the colonies. Some agreed with him, and others accused him of treason.
Henry was an active participant in the growing rebellion against the British. His main strength was the ability to present his complex political ideas in a language that was understood by the common man. He was selected to serve as a delegate for the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774. There, he met Sam Adams and other revolutionaries who, together, set the stage for revolution. Henry called for unity between all 13 colonies against Britain. A year later during the Virginia Convention, Henry gave his most famous speech. He called America to action by saying "Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" Not long after, the first shots of the war were fired. Henry became the commander and chief of Virginia's forces, and then the governor of Virgina that same year.
In 1790, Henry chose to leave public service and practice law once more. He received many opportunities such as the Supreme Court justice, secretary of state and attorney general, but he turned them all down. He preferred being with his second wife, Dorothea, and their many children, rather practicing politics. He died on June 6, 1799, at his estate called "Red Hill."
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Literary Themes:
During the Colonial and Early National Period, there were several recurring literary themes seen in the literature of this time period. When the 13 colonies were first established, they were very divided. This can be seen in the dramatic differences between their literature and literary themes. However, as time passed and as the people became more unified, so did their literary themes. Their theme of unity and American community could be seen in newspapers, speeches, and pamphlets such as "The American Crisis." Famous authors and influential people of the time period like Franklin, Paine, Jefferson, and Henry called for unity, liberty, and equality. These themes not only inspired the people of America to revolt against their oppressors, but provided the foundations for American government.
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During the Colonial and Early National Period, there were several recurring literary themes seen in the literature of this time period. When the 13 colonies were first established, they were very divided. This can be seen in the dramatic differences between their literature and literary themes. However, as time passed and as the people became more unified, so did their literary themes. Their theme of unity and American community could be seen in newspapers, speeches, and pamphlets such as "The American Crisis." Famous authors and influential people of the time period like Franklin, Paine, Jefferson, and Henry called for unity, liberty, and equality. These themes not only inspired the people of America to revolt against their oppressors, but provided the foundations for American government.
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Key Authors:
- The Onondaga: Tellers of "The Earth on Turtle's Back"
- The Modoc: Tellers of "When Grizzlies Walked Upright"
- The Navajo: Tellers of "The Navajo Origin Legend"
- The Iroquois :" The Iroquois Constitution"
- Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca: "A Journey Through Texas"
- Garcia Lopez de Cardenas: "Boulders Taller Than the Great Tower of Seville"
- William Bradford: "Of Plymouth Plantation"
- Anne Bradstreet: "To My Dear and Loving Husband"
- Edward Taylor: "Huswifery"
- Jonathan Edwards: "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God",
- Patrick Henry: "Speech in the Virginia Convention"
- Benjamin Franklin: "Speech in the Convention", The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,Poor Richard's Almanack,"Join, or Die"
- Thomas Jefferson: The Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Paine: "The American Crisis","Common Sense"
- Phillis Wheatley: "To His Excellency George Washington"
- Olaudah Equiano: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
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Culture:
Music, clothing, and art from this time period
Culture:
Music, clothing, and art from this time period