Beginnings – American Literature

1. Beginnings – American Literature They (Puritans) set sail from England with a dream. Their new nation would be a guiding light. It would be and example for the whole world. John Winthrop spoke of the new land as a “City upon a Hill”.

2. John Winthrop – prominent Puritan minister …The Lord will be our God and delight to dwell among us, as His own people, and… Command a blessing upon us in all our ways..”

3. President Ronald Reagan Nov. 25, 1982 I have always believe that this anointed land was set apart in an uncommon way, that a divine plan places this great continent here between the oceans to be found by people From every corner of the Earth who had a special love of faith and freedom.

4. Brief History of the beginnings • Protestant Reformation – 1517 • Martin Luther posted 95 thesis on Wittenberg Cathedral. The church saw him as a heretic • He deemphasized the church ritual and the priesthood. • He stressed the significance of one’s inner light and the ability to obtain it.

5. HISTORY OF THE BEGINNINGS • PROTESTANT – Switzerland, Germany, and parts of France and eventually England and parts of Scotland • Gave rise to the Protestant (protest) religion • Catholic church strong in Spain and Italy and parts of France and Germany

6. Columbus 1492 Columbus believed he found a passage to India and continued to think he found it until he died. This was based on his belief in a Biblical reference. He saw his fulfillment from Isaiah 11: 10-12: “And he shall set up an ensign for the nations.”

7. Amerigo Vespucci 1501 Portuguese sailor who sailed to Brazil. He lied and said he found America in 1497 to get around the fact that Columbus landed in Venezuela on his third voyage in 1498.

8. Martin Waldseemulerr1507 Obscure German map maker who came across Vespucci’s work and decided this new land be called Amerigo – and he wrote America across a map in 1507

9. Sir Walter Raleigh 1587 • 150 men women and children disappeared • Some people claim they were either absorbed into the Croatan tribe or slaughtered by them • The only evidence they found were the letters Cro on a tree • Virginia named after the Virgin Queen Elizabeth

10. Jamestown 1607 Captain John Smith • Algonquians had an on and off again relationship with the settlers • The marriage between John Rolfe and Pochontas helped briefly • Many of the new settlers were wealthy and did not know how to work the land

11. England’s motives • Desire to weaken Spain and France • Eager merchants to secure high profits in foreign trade • England was overpopulated and wanted to send laborers abroad • Desire to win converts to the Protestant religion

12. Pilgrims 1620 • Separatists who did not believe the Church of England could change • Lived in Holland for a time • Landed in New England instead of Virginia in the fall • Unprepared for the harsh winter • Mayflower Compact established a peace agreement that all would work together

13. Puritans 1630 • Puritans wanted to “purify the church” • Wanted to do away with clerical vestments, stained glass and the use of incense • Strict lifestyle – reading the Bible and work • Government had to follow the law of God

14. Both Puritans and Pilgrims • Adam and Eve disobeyed God and fell from grace. Everyone after that was evil. People are born sinful. • Except for a special elect who were chosen by God • The soul had to realize how sinful it was with the help of the minister’s sermon

15. 1642 • 20,000 people had immigrated to New England to enter colonial life dominated by Puritans • Believed the end was coming soon and they were creating the “New Eden” in America • This land was put here specifically for them • Idea of Manifest Destiny

16. Vocabulary • Theocracy – church officials run the government – Theology – the study of God • Indigenous – native to the area • Temperance – moderation, self restraint • Predestination – to decide or decree in advance • Covenant – A promise • Patriarchal – Male leaders