Beginnings Notes
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1) The document traces the origins and early history of America, beginning with the first migrations of Native Americans over the Bering land bridge, through European exploration and colonization led by figures like Columbus and Cabeza de Vaca. 2) It then focuses on the Puritan settlers in New England in the 1600s, describing their religious beliefs and practices as well as their influence on early American culture, politics, and values like education and the work ethic. 3) The Enlightenment period saw the rise of rationalism and ideas about using reason to improve oneself and society, which influenced thinkers and helped incite the American Revolution by implying governments should respect the popular will of their people.
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Beginnings Notes
- 2. The First MigrationIce Age TravelersBering land bridge (now submerged) from SiberiaBy 1490’s millions of Native Americans lived here (Europeans were not the first)Some still live here
- 4. The Europeans ArriveExplorersColumbusCoronado“New World” – focus of dreams and desires – idealized wealth and resourcesAlvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca landed in Florida (1528) and wandered to Texas – wrote narratives of his journey
- 5. EncomiendaColumbus 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 LegacyCentral to development of literary traditionShaped American character through moral, ethical, religious convictions1620 – Initial landing1640 – 20,000 Puritans lived in New EnglandBusiness venture & spiritual venture - intertwined
- 8. Puritanism
- 9. Who Were the Puritans?Protestant groups – wanted to “purify” Church of EnglandSimpler forms of worship, church organization as in New TestamentReligion – personal experienceNo intermediary1620 – 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 BeliefsTheology: mankind is damned because of Adam and Eve, but some are saved through Jesus.“Elect” – those chosen to be saved“Unregenerate” – those who are damnedOutward 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 WorldEducation: New England Primer – couplets to teach the alphabet used moral lessons:Time cuts down allBoth great and small.
- 14. Puritan PoliticsCovenant (contract) btwn God & humanityPeople should enter freely into agreements re: governmentMayflower Compact: how they would be governed upon arrival
- 15. So What?Mayflower Compact paved the way for the American constitutional democracy.The Mayflower Compact
- 16. Puritan Government“Elect” should exert influence on government.Led to Salem Witch Trials
- 17. Bible in AmericaStory of creation, fall, wanderings, recue of human raceLife = pilgrimage, journey to salvationEmphasized education -> to read the BibleHarvard College – founded 1636 to train Puritan ministersDiaries and histories – main form of literature – record the work of God
- 18. Harvard Today
- 20. The Age of ReasonThe Enlightenment – RationalistsRationalism – 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 & motionGod = clockmaker – God created the earth then left it to run on its own
- 21. Rationalism Cont.God’s gift – ability to reason and think logicallyAbility to discover truthAble to regulate and improve own life
- 22. STOP & ComparePuritans Rationalists
- 23. STOP & ComparePuritansHumanity is evil.Hard work, good life shows salvation.God is active in society. RationalistsHumanity is basically good.Use reason & logic to improve self.Clockmaker God – made it & left.
- 24. Smallpox!!!Cotton Mather – Puritan PreacherSin is cause of sicknessBorrowed inoculation from Turkish doctorInoculated hundreds and of those only 6 died.Of others who contracted the disease ¼ had diedInoculation
- 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. DiestsDeism: universe is orderly and good. Stressed humanity’s goodnessGod wants people to be happyDo good to others – make them happyPeople 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 monarchImplied that a government that failed to respect the popular will could be legitimately overthrown.
- 31. Self-Made AmericanLiterature rooted in realityPamphlets – literature should be practical and politicalAfter Revolutionary War – organizing and governing is most important
- 32. Benjamin FranklinAutobiographyUsed autobiographical formTook out religious justificationClear, wittyProvided model for a story to be told repeatedly by others (The Great Gatsby, Bill Gates’ The Road Ahead, etc.)
- 33. Think About It
Editor's Notes
- #16: http://eliot.needham.k12.ma.us/technology/lessons/primary_source/mayflower_compact/compact.htm