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Beginnings of the American Tradition to 1760. The New World. Columbus October 1492, island of Guanahani (San Salvador) 6 years to believe in new continent. Exploration and Settlement. Desire to explore and describe new continent inspired many of the earliest works of American literature
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The New World • Columbus • October 1492, island of Guanahani (San Salvador) • 6 years to believe in new continent
Exploration and Settlement • Desire to explore and describe new continent inspired many of the earliest works of American literature • 50 years after Columbus, Europeans exploring new land • Faster trade route to China • Earthly Paradise (cure all for diseases) • Rivers of gold • Fountain of Youth
Grim reality • You’re not alone (2000 Indian tribes) • Cortes • Destroyed Mexico City in 93 days; exterminated Aztecs • Cabeza de Vaca • Walked 2/3 of North America
New settlers = exploration Adventure and gold Established inhabitants = settling Food is plentiful and poor people might own land Changing from Exploration to Settlement The land of possibilities
Is this still the case? Think about current immigration • Where are people coming from today? • Why? • What is U. S. response to this politically and socially?
With settlement comes…. • Literature • Inexpensive pamphlets in Europe • Advertisements To such as to Virginia, do purpose to repair; And when that they shall thither come, each man shall have his share Day wages for the Laborer; and for his more content, A house and garden plot shall have… ~from News from Virginia, published 1610 What is this?
Captain John Smith1579 or 1580 - 1631 "History is the memory of time, the life of the dead and the happiness of the living." J. Smith 1630
Captured by Indian leader Powhatan and almost put to death • Saved by Pocahontas (Matoaka)
Smith’s contributions to America • Founded Jamestown, VA (first English colony) • Gave New England its name • Cartographer • Publisher of experiences in New World • Advertising • Clear up European myths about America
Ambivalence • The quality of feeling different ways about the same thing • Smith was ambivalent about the Indians b/c he was impressed with their bravery and generosity, but he considered them childish, changeable, barbaric, and idolatrous
3rd Person Point of View • Purpose • Successful?