MID 18TH CENTURY

THE AGE OF REASON

I. CHARACTERISTICS

A. Sometimes called American Enlightenment

B. Historically includes the late colonial and revolutionary periods.

II. A Reaction to Puritanism

Puritans Advocated a Theocracy

Minister is political leader

Society focused on religious good

Age of Reason Advocated for

Democracy

Landowner is political leader

Society focused on common good

Libraries Post Offices Fire Departments Sanitation Hospitals

II. A Reaction to Puritanism

Puritans (cont.) Religion based on faith

and revelation John Calvin

Morality determined by scripture

Church and state belong together – theocracy

God’s existence cannot be questioned

Believed man was inherently corrupt

Age of Reason (cont.) Religion based on

rationalism and reason John Locke

Morality can be determined like math

Separation of church and state

God’s existence can be proven by logic (clockmaker analogy)

Believed man could improve

II. A Reaction to Puritanism

Puritans (cont.) Knowledge is a gift

given to help us understand God better

Literary Works Sermon Historical Narratives

Age of Reason (cont.) Knowledge is a gift to

help understand the natural world better

Literary Works Pamphlets Speeches

III. Similarities to Puritanism

A. Emphasis on Hard WorkB. Desire for IndependenceC. Literature is primarily non-fiction

IV: Main Ideas

A. The Founding Fathers dared to pursue a dream unlike anything the world had ever seen before.

B. Their use of reason and logic led to a period of religious skepticism.

C. The Puritan era ended when man began questioning it without fear of God.

D. Foundation of our nation viewed as like a “science experiment” using politics.

4 Questions on Age of Reason

1). Find a quotation in The Declaration of Independence that best defines the American Dream. Write it down. Then, explain that quotation.

2). Find a quote from Thomas Paine’s “Age of Reason” that best explains his religious beliefs. Write it down. Then explain it.

3). Why is Benjamin Franklin the epitome of his era? Be specific.

4). Find a quotation from either Patrick Henry or Thomas Paine that would be particularly offensive to black Americans. Write it down. Then explain it.

Puritan or Age of Reason?

Screw the truth into men's minds Richard Baxter: Puritan

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson: Age of Reason

Many a man's knowledge is a torch to light him to hell. Thou who hast knowledge of God's will, but doth not do it, wherein dost thou excel the devil, 'who transforms himself into an angel of light.’ Thomas Watson: Puritan

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do. Ben Franklin: Age of Reason

If we would talk less and pray more about them, things would be be better than they are in the world; at least, we should be better enabled to bear them. John Owen: Puritan

Further Practice:How would Paine and a Puritan respond to

these questions?

What Is the American Dream?

What is the purpose of literature?

All of my crops have died! Why?

Is there a God? How do you know?

Oh my gosh! The earth is shaking! Why?

The Big Questions

How is our society still influenced by the Age of Reason today? What signs of it remain?

How are the values of the Age of Reason seen in their writing?

What about this era is appealing to us in the 21st century as opposed to Puritanism?