The American Revolutionary period, which lasted from the late 1760s to the late 1780s, was a time of great political, social, and intellectual upheaval in the British colonies in North America. It was also a time of great literary production, as writers and intellectuals sought to document, interpret, and shape the events of the day.
One of the most famous pieces of literature from this period is the Declaration of Independence, which was written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress. This document, which declared the colonies to be independent from Great Britain, was a powerful statement of the ideals of the American Revolution, including the principles of natural rights and popular sovereignty.
Other important works of literature from this period include the Federalist Papers, a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in support of the new United States Constitution. These essays, which were published in 1787 and 1788, provided a detailed explanation of the Constitution and argued for its adoption.
In addition to political works, the American Revolutionary period also saw the emergence of a rich tradition of historical writing. One of the most notable examples of this is the multi-volume History of the American Revolution, written by David Ramsay and published between 1789 and 1793. This work provides a comprehensive account of the events leading up to and during the Revolution, and is an important source for understanding the ideas and motivations of the people who fought for independence.
Other notable works of literature from this period include the poetry of Phillis Wheatley, who was one of the first published African American writers, and the novels of Charles Brockden Brown, who is considered one of the first American novelists. Both Wheatley and Brown used their writing to explore themes of freedom, equality, and democracy, and their work reflects the intellectual and political debates of the time.
Overall, the American Revolutionary period was a time of great creativity and intellectual ferment, and the literature produced during this time reflects the passions and ideals of the people who lived through it. From political treatises to historical accounts to poetry and fiction, the literature of this period offers a rich and varied portrait of one of the most significant periods in American history.
Important Writings from the U.S. Revolutionary Period
Understanding Gods design requires reason, reflection, investigation, prudence and common sense. Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill, 1966. Thomas Jefferson was also a major literature writer during therevolutionarywar, he had written drafts for the constitution, and helped write the final draft. Jefferson writes an "alternative" history of the colonies elaborating on what he wrote in 1774 in A Summary View of the Rights of British America. The history of Colonialism as a policy or practice go… James Otis , His brilliant defense of American colonial rights at the outset of the struggle between England and its colonies marked James Otis, Jr. The Poetry magazine in Chicago in 1912 and made it the most important organ for poetry not just in the United States but for the English-speaking world.
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD LITERATURE of AMERICAN webapi.bu.edu
According to Paine, the move toward independence was pure "common sense. Although Great Britain held several… Mercy Otis Warren , Warren, Mercy Otis Warren, Mercy Otis Died October 19, 1814 Plymouth, Massachusetts Historian, poet Mercy Otis Warren was an American poet and a hi… Catskill Mountains , Appearing in The Sketch Book 1819—1820 , Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle" became an immediate American classic and retains that position in the…. English form and style, combined with the American sensibility. He pushed that since the colonies landed the have been free fromparliament. Though still derived from British literary tradition, the short stories and novels published from 1800 through the 1820s began to depict American society and explore the American landscape in an unprecedented manner.
Revolutionary Period of American Literature Flashcards
Revolutionary prose was often polemical, written to encourage and even inspire the movement for political independence from England and to promote national unification. Sources Books Avery, Gillian. The American lifestyle is mostly farming on the plains, or fishing on the Coast. . In poetry, Phillis Wheatley, a West African sold into slavery as a child and brought to Boston, published Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral 1773. A God-centered universe gives way to a human-centered universe, wherein reason is the primary virtue.
Literature (Revolutionary Era)
Retrieved December 2, 2012. They were read by many people, though, and were performed privately for Warren's family and friends, including prominent Revolutionary figures such as Samuel, John, and Other notable satirists put the war on stage. The Sound and the Fury 1929. . In 1765, the English Parliament passed the Stamp Act, igniting the first serious opposition in the American colonies to English rule. The Coquette: Or, the History of Eliza Wharton was published in 1797 and was extremely popular.
