THE

LECTURE 9
REVOLUTIONARY
AGE (1765–1790)
 THE • Beginning a decade before the Revolutionary War
REVOLUTIONARY
and ending about 25 years later, this period
PERIOD (1765-1790)
includes the writings of Thomas Jefferson,
Thomas Paine, James Madison, and
Alexander Hamilton.
• This is arguably the richest period of political
1765 – The Stamp Act ignited the first serious writing since classical antiquity.
opposition to English rule in the American
colonies. • Important works include the “Declaration of
1790 – after the implementation of the United Independence,” "The Federalist Papers," and the
States Constitution poetry of Joel Barlow and Philip Freneau.
 • Most of the poetry was neoclassical, in imitation of English poet
Alexander Pope.
POETRY • o neoclassical = characterized by simplicity, directness, order,
decorum, balance, unity, and an emphasis on reason
• o Poets used neoclassical forms and styles such as burlesque,
satire, and epic for political ends, especially the patriotic political
end of independence.
• o Joel Barlow, Timothy Dwight, Philip Freneau, and John
Trumbull wanted to establish a classical standard for American
literature.
• o Others were associated with the Graveyard School of Poetry
and emphasized an appreciation of nature, thereby
foreshadowing romanticism.
• o Phillis Wheatley, an American slave and poet, inaugurated the
African American literary tradition with her volume Poems on
Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773). She became the
first published African American poet
PROSE

• Revolutionary prose mostly o Alexander Hamilton and

promoted the movement for James Madison - The
o Thomas Paine - Common
independence from England Federalist Papers (1787-88) –
Sense (1776)
and the unification of the political theory underlying
nation. the U.S. Constitution

o Thomas Jefferson - The

Declaration of Independence
o Benjamin Franklin - (1776)
Autobiography (1771) • • The first American novel, The
Power of Sympathy (1789), was
written at the end of the
Revolutionary Period.
 • The first play written by an American and acted
in America was Thomas Godfrey’s The Prince of
Parthia (1767).
DRAMA
• Drama was the most influential and widespread
outside of New England, where the Puritan
suspicion of the medium remained strong.

• Dramas of the time were historical, didactic, and

patriotic in nature.
 THE EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD (1790-
1828)
• Unlike the writers of the Revolutionary Period,
writers of the Early National Period began to
• 1790 – after the form distinctively American voices that
developed with the formation of a new nation.
implementation of the
• • William Cullen Bryant is perhaps the best
United
known poet of the time.
States Constitution • • Washington Irving, and essayist and storyteller,
became the first American prose writer to
• 1828 – election of
achieve international fame.
Andrew Jackson as
• • North American Review – the first long-running
President American magazine
DURING • sentimental novels = “true” stories for

THIS moral instruction, warning young ladies of

PERIOD,
• the perils of seduction

THE NOVEL • o gothic novels = focus on horror,

suspense, doom, mystery, passion, and
FLOURISHED the
• grotesque and supernatural.
• Charles Brockden Brown - Wieland (1798)

• https://prezi.com/c0ioshil2tuk/early-national-period-
timeline/
 TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED IN
SEMINAR:
• Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790): Silence Dogood Letters, Poor Richard’s Almanac, Autobiography

• Patrick Henry (1736-1799): Speech to the House of Burgesses in 1775 “Give me liberty or give me
death!”
• Thomas Paine (1737-1809): Common Sense, The American Crisis
• Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826): Declaration of Independence, The Jefferson Bible, Virginia's An Act
of Establishing Religious Freedom.
• James Madison (1751-1836): Father of the Bill of Rights, The Federalist Papers
• Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804): The Federalists Papers Common Sense was so influential
that John Adams said, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington
would have been raised in vain."
• SSW: Exploring the American Revolutionary Age: In this self-study task, you will delve into the American Revolutionary Age, a pivotal
period in American history. The American Revolutionary Age covers the years leading up to, during, and immediately following the
American Revolution (approximately 1765-1783). This task will help you gain a deeper understanding of the events, ideas, and
individuals that shaped the birth of the United States.
• Task Steps:

1. Select and Read Primary Sources: Choose primary documents from the era, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution,
or the Federalist Papers. Read and analyze these sources to gain insight into the ideas and debates of the time.
2. Read Historical Accounts: Select a well-regarded book or academic article that covers the American Revolutionary Age. Some
recommended titles include "1776" by David McCullough or "The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution" by Bernard Bailyn.
3. Watch Documentaries and Films: Watch historical documentaries or films related to the American Revolution. For example, the HBO
miniseries "John Adams" provides a dramatic portrayal of this era.
4. Write Reflections: Keep a journal or a blog where you can write reflections on what you've learned. Consider discussing the causes of
the Revolution, key figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and the legacy of this period.
5. Create a Timeline: Create a visual timeline of significant events during the American Revolutionary Age. Include key battles, treaties,
and political developments.
6. Share Your Knowledge: Organize a presentation or discussion with friends, family, or colleagues to share what you've learned about the
American Revolutionary Age.