18th centry

Literature is a vital part of our culture and history, and among that history, the literature from the 18th century has played a huge role in the formation of out country today.  

During the early 18th century, America was going through a period known as the Great Awakening, which was a religious revival to try and renew interest in the church. This period was initiated by writer Jonathan Edwards through his sermons and in the philosophical treatise, Freedom of Will. Another author during this period was Coton Mather, who wrote Magnalia Christi Americana, a biography of Puritan New England, and Manuductio ad Ministerium, two books that defended old Puritan convictions. However these authors were defending a lost cause. Latter on in the century rigid Puritanism was replaced with more worldly attitudes and there was less of a focus on religion.

            Another big event that took place during the 18th century was the American Revolution. During this period there were all sorts of important and influential pieces of literature being written. Important colonial writers of this time included Samuel Adams and John Dickinson, and loyalist Joseph Galloway. However even more important were Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Pain. Benjamin Franklin wrote  Poor Richard’s Almanac, and Thomas Pain wrote the Pamphlet Common Sense. Both of these documents were very beneficial for expressing the views of the colonists and there relationships with Great Brittan during the colonial times, and for influencing people to want to separate from England.

           Thomas Jefferson was another very important writer of this time. In addition to many other works, he wrote the Declaration of Independence, with out which our country would be a very different place.   

           The next important stage in American literature was during the formation of our new country and government. Many new authors influenced the future of our country through the documents they wrote in this period. For example, The Federalist papers, by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay were a series of essays written to influence people to support the new constitution.

            From Puritan Histories to country changing documents, the 18th century is full of all sorts of important literature that has had a very significant effect on our country.    

 

 

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/19939/American-literature/42250/The-18th-century