The Age of Reason

1. The Age of Reason The Age of Reason The Birth of a Nation and The Revolutionary Period

2. A Change in Perception • How do we go straight from William Bradford and the Puritans to revolutionaries like Ben Franklin and Thomas Paine? • While the Puritans were largely responsible for founding and colonizing the New England area, the middle colonies held a rich diversity.

3. A Change in Perception • This diversity allowed for range of vastly contrasting, and often conflicting, views on the world, life, and most important: politics and religion. • Many of the ideas and motivations came from Europe. This began in the 17th & 18th centuries with philosophers and scientists: the rationalists. • Rationalism is the belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition.

4. A Change in Perception • While the Puritans believed that the workings of God were evident in every aspect of life and existence, the rationalists compared God more to a clockmaker, whose purpose was to create a perfect system. That system, once perfect and like a clock, is left on its own to run its course.

5. Deism • Unlike the Puritans, the rationalists didn’t believe that God would chose to reveal himself to only at particular times to particular people, but believed that all people at all times could figure out the laws and order of the universe through their God-given power of reason • Deists come from many religious backgrounds, yet avoid supporting specific religious groups. • They sought the basic principals that unite all religions

6. The Power of the Self • Through the mindset of the rationalists and the situation at hand, strong men of character rose up to change the world as they knew it. • Thomas Paine • Played a pivotal role in persuading the colonies to revolution • Thomas Jefferson • Forged, with the help of Benjamin Franklin, the Declaration of Independence, birthing a new nation • Benjamin Franklin • Started his life as a homeless and destitute 17 year old • Died one of the most important figures in United States history

7. The Power of the Rhetoric • During this period, the majority of the writing done was in the form of political or practical pamphlets. • Rhetoric – The art of effective, persuasive communication (writing & speaking) Examples of rhetorical argument during this section will be seen in: • Common Sense – Thomas Paine • Speech to the Virginia Convention – Patrick Henry • The Crisis No. 1 – Thomas Paine • The Declaration of Independence – Thomas Jefferson/B. Franklin Also • The Autobiography – Benjamin Franklin

8. OverviewThe Rationalist Worldview • People arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on non-rational mental processes like intuition. • God created the universe but does not interfere with its workings. • The world operates according to God’s rules, and through the use of reason, we can discover those rules. • People are basically good and perfectible. • Since God wants people to be happy, they worship God best by helping other people. • Human history is marked by progress toward a more perfect existence.