Early American Literature

1. Early American Literature American Literature I Mr. Plinsky

2. Early American Literature • 4 main groups: • Native Americans • Spanish • Africans • English/Puritans

3. Native Americans • The largest group crossed the land bridge across the Bering Strait approximately 13,000 – 15,000 years ago. • Archaeologists have discovered there were multiple migrations, some as far back as 30,000 – 35,000 years ago.

4. Native Americans • During a particularly strong glacial period, the ocean level dropped enough to expose the land below. • Animals and plants migrated across. • Native tribes followed them, and spread across the continent.

5. Native Americans • Developed complex cultures, not just hunters and gatherers. • Inca, Maya, Aztec • Systems of writing and record keeping • Working calendar • Large cities and roadways

6. Native Americans • Some other thoughts: • “Native Americans” is a misleading term – it covers a large number of widely diverse cultures that live in the same geographical area. • Every Native American tale we will read has been filtered through English writers, therefore making it inaccurate.

7. Native American Literature • Stories passed on from generation to generation through oral tradition. • Intended to teach both history and values. • Most of the symbols and lessons are taught using nature images/characters. • Their remnants are our most valuable tool for understanding ancient native cultures.

8. Spanish • Discovered North America while trying to find a route to India. (hence the name ‘Indians’) • Sent more explorers to expand the Spanish Empire • By 1550, Spain controlled Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and most of Western South America.

9. Spanish • Spanish influence expanded until 1588 • England and Spain fought over control of the colonies. • English defeated the Spanish Armada, and Spain’s influence began to decline.

10. Spanish • By 1630 Spanish Catholic missionaries had converted 60,000 Native Americans, and taught them to speak Spanish. • Some natives accepted these teachings, and others revolted. • Spanish writings from this period are largely journalistic, and detail the events of the period. • Most are written by Spanish explorers or missionaries. Natives wrote very little, so their perspective has been overlooked by history.

11. Africans • In 1652, the Dutch government approved the importation of African Slaves to New Netherlands • In the 1660’s, the rest of the colonies (British, French, Portuguese and Spanish) adopted laws requiring lifelong servitude for Africans, regardless of their conversion to Christianity • They did this so that slave owners would encourage slaves to convert.

12. Africans

13. Africans • In 1696, Quakers forbade all members from participating in any aspect of the slave trade. They were the first religious group to do so. • In 1735, Georgia prohibited the right to own slaves: • They were concerned that slaves might take the side of the Spanish • Most slave owners ignored the law • It was repealed in 1749

14. Africans • In 1775, Ben Franklin followed the lead of the Quakers and abolitionists in forming the “Society for the Relief of Free Negros Unlawfully Held in Bondage.” • 1st major national figure to publicly take a stand against slavery • Primarily interested in securing the rights of those who were legally entitled to freedom

15. Africans • Roughly 9-12 million Africans were brought to the new world as slaves. • Very few were taught to read or write • We have many slave narratives (Frederick Douglass, Olaudah Equiano) that still exist today. • Much of the early African literature is in the form of oral tradition stories that are a blend of African tales and the slave experience in the new world.

16. English • 1585, Established 1st colony on Roanoke Island in what is now North Carolina – the colony failed. • 1607, Jamestown settled – struggled until 1612 when tobacco was brought to Virginia.

17. Plymouth English • 1620, early Puritans came to New England • 102 pilgrims landed in Plymouth • Signed a compact guaranteeing government by the will of the majority – Mayflower Compact. • Left/Were kicked out of England because of their religious views – wanted to separate themselves from English Protestantism. • Intended to create a theocracy – a society governed by God’s word. • Survival was their primary concern in the early years. • Received help from the local native tribes to get them through the first few winters.

18. English • 1680’s, German immigration began • 1700’s, Scotch-Irish immigration began • 1732, the last English colony founded (Georgia) • Much of the early literature is written by Englishmen, but the country is rapidly becoming more diverse. • Most of the settlers were learned and wrote profusely. • They were not intent on literary lives, they mostly wanted to survive. • Intolerance flourished early, and many left the initial settlements, moving inland to form their own settlements.

19. Puritans • Arrived in two waves: • Separatists in 1620 – the Pilgrims • 1630-40 Puritan families who did not want to separate from the Anglican church, but wanted to worship in their own way. • From 1620 to 1643, 21,000 Puritans came to the colonies.

20. Puritan Philosophy • “Neither Pope nor Bishop nor any other man has a right to impose a single syllable of law upon a Christian man without his consent.” • Martin Luther • This idea set up the notion of self governance, and challenged the divine right of kings.

21. Puritan Philosophy • John Calvin put the seat of governmental power in the church. • He said: • The ultimate authority lay in the hands of the entire congregation. • Religious leaders should be elected in “congregational meetings.” • These developed into the “town hall meeting” of today. • Government became a servant of the church. • By 1700 the power of religious leaders decreased, and the power of secular leaders increased.

22. Puritan Philosophy • Calvin also believed in predestination, which set him apart from Luther as well as the Roman Catholic Church. • Mankind has limited free will to choose between good and evil. • Grace/Salvation is a gift that can only come from God • It is only given to those predestined to receive it. • Cannot be earned through good acts because good acts can only be the result of grace. • Problems???

23. Puritan Stereotype • They are often portrayed as folks who: • Dressed only in black and white clothing • Censor and ban books • Establish vice laws • Impose prudish standards • A few zealots over-interpreted their beliefs to suggest: • They despised earthly/mortal life • They persecuted the witches out of hysterical fear.

24. Puritan Stereotype • Most Puritans did not meet that stereotype: • Did not forbid bright clothing – black and white were cheaper and more common. • Developed attractive arts and crafts – still valued today. • Liked drink, but despised the drunkard. • Feared ignorance – pursued knowledge at every opportunity. • Viewed religion as a rigorous intellectual discipline – requires lots of thought and examination. • 1st to establish common/public schools. • 1st to establish a college in the US (Harvard, 1636). • 1st printing press (Cambridge, MA, 1638).