...When the Light Shines on Literature The Enlightenment Era is a period of philosophic and scholarly excitement which took place globally in the early eighteenth century. In a historical context, the American Enlightenment led to the American Revolution, American Independence, and the creation of the Constitutional Republic of the United States America (Bailyn 26-27). Influenced by those of the European Enlightenment, such as John Locke and Isaac Newton, and fueled by the colonist’s growing frustrations with the English Crown, the literary soil of the New World was a fertile garden. From this newly enriched land sprung both flowers of poetry and the nutritious fruits of the realistic pen that were deeply inspired by the American Enlightenment. The literature of the Enlightenment period was powerful indeed, as it motivated people to think and to take action. Two superlative examples of American Literature and the influences of the Enlightenment Era are Philip Freneau’s poetry and Thomas Paine’s prose. The influence of enlightenment ideas is in the works of both of these important literary figures. Philip Freneau was the poet of the American Revolution (Bowen 213). From Freneau’s naturalistic poetry, such as “The Wild Honeysuckle, we can see the Enlightenment idea that nature is a revelation of God that holds instructions for mankind. “The Wild Honeysuckle" was America's first major poetic account on the themes of life and death. The poem begins by discussing the types of death...
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...the old English colonies. Thomas Paine was English born but had an American soul. His influence and ideas had a large impact on him as a person and our country. His influence did not only affect history but is still in use today. As stated in Common Sense, the American colonies would be better off as a society instead of a government. Society meaning, a group of actual colonist coming together to follow a set of rules without crime or victimizing. The government can often be pushy and not allow civilians of society to speak or think for themselves. The British government in a way, suffocated the colonies from being individuals and ruling themselves. Thomas Paine stated in his book that the government was like a King. He talked about religions choosing a king to rule over them instead of having their own people and God make their decisions. This is how government started to form. He states that God is unhappy with the decision, but provides their King anyway. Thomas Paine was born in Norfolk, England in 1737. He was born as a Quaker (“A Biography of Thomas Paine”). A Quaker is a person who follows a group of religious followers and servers. This group was often found persuading equal rights especially when slavery and women’s’ rights were an issue (“History of Quakers”). Thomas was born under Britain rule, but during this time the groups of Quakers were becoming stronger. Thomas stood up to his government and moved to American in 1774. Thomas was unsuccessful in England...
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...Common Sense, Thomas Paine’s expression of the pre-revolutionary America, these ideas were helped Americans finally reach their tipping point to seek independence from Great Britain. Thomas Paine pointed out all of the practical reasons why England had mistreated Americans, and why Americans could when freedom in a war for independence. Paine, a loyal patriot and one of the drafters of the Declaration of Independence, put himself at risk by publishing his ideas, and could have been tried for treason in British courts. Thomas Paine began his pamphlet with his ideas of what a real democratic does and does not look like. Paine believed that society and government must be able to go hand in hand, and depend on each other in order to maintain a...
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...Abstract The Enlightenment era is made up of on rational thought, ideas and reason. Many men contributed to this, but a few amongst them are Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Their wisdom and ideas make up the Enlightenment era to which is the backbone of today’s society. The Enlightenment Starting in the mid 1700’s to 1800’s a movement had set in based on rational thought and reason, it was known as the Enlightenment era also known as the Age of Reason. This era created ideas that shaped the political, economic and social institutions in the United States. Men in this era such as Thomas Paine, who was a politician and philosopher, Thomas Jefferson our third president as well as an apostle of agrarian, and Benjamin Franklin, author, scientist, philosopher, and statesman. All these men emphasize the importance of using reason and logic instead of superstition or ignorance. They focus on creating and writing, science, politics and other subjects in this era which influence decades to come (Age of Enlightenment, 2011). In today’s society these ideas have become relevant. Thomas Paine influences the Enlightenment politically and socially, because of his beliefs he was damned by many people in both America and England. Thomas Paine was born in England; he was a corset maker and excise officer in England, although showed interested in philosophy and science. He later in life then met up with Benjamin Franklin in London and soon after he sailed to Philadelphia...
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...Thomas Paine was a major supporter of America’s Independence from British rule and expressed it in the 47-page pamphlet, “Common Sense.” (History.com) He was born January 29, 1737, in Thetford, County of Norfolk in England to Joseph, his father who was a Quaker, (a tailor specializing in corset making) and Frances, his mother who was a devout Anglican (a daughter of wealth). He had a sibling who died in infancy. Thus he grew up an only child. The foundation of his knowledge acquired in Europe, where he learned to read, write and the concepts of math at the Grammar School in Thetford. Also, at age thirteen, his father taught him the trade of corset making. Showing even then, his fierce libertarian streak, he ran away from home, running through a series of jobs in England. Being a privateer, he...
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...Tutor Course Date History: A discussion of Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’ article Qn.1 All men are equal Paine begins his argument by asserting the natural order of things that God ordained in men; that is, all men are equal. He, therefore, questions the way the British Empire could believe themselves to be extraordinary beings to the extent of subjecting the Americans to slavery by making all their important life decisions. Paine further notes that men and women are distinguished by nature, the good, and evil by faith. However, he wonders what kind of distinction assigns some human beings to be the rulers, in other words, the kings while the rest remain the subjects. According to Paine, it is unnatural and unfair for some human beings to believe themselves to be of more importance than the others. In his argument, Paine holds that hereditary monarchy through which the British exercise its political power obstructs the natural justice since no man should have preferential treatment over others. Paine further argues that Americas was focused on a higher calling. The main aim of such a calling was liberating the entire human race from slavery and affliction of self-imposed ‘earthly kings’. Americas Independence does her better than harm Paine suggests that America could be better without their colonial masters. He claims that England did not colonize America to protect it nor to make it flourish but to safeguard its interests. Paine criticizes those opposed to America’s independence...
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...Tutor Course Date History: A discussion of Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’ article Qn.1 All men are equal Paine begins his argument by asserting the natural order of things that God ordained in men; that is, all men are equal. He, therefore, questions the way the British Empire could believe themselves to be extraordinary beings to the extent of subjecting the Americans to slavery by making all their important life decisions. Paine further notes that men and women are distinguished by nature, the good, and evil by faith. However, he wonders what kind of distinction assigns some human beings to be the rulers, in other words, the kings while the rest remain the subjects. According to Paine, it is unnatural and unfair for some human beings to believe themselves to be of more importance than the others. In his argument, Paine holds that hereditary monarchy through which the British exercise its political power obstructs the natural justice since no man should have preferential treatment over others. Paine further argues that Americas was focused on a higher calling. The main aim of such a calling was liberating the entire human race from slavery and affliction of self-imposed ‘earthly kings’. Americas Independence does her better than harm Paine suggests that America could be better without their colonial masters. He claims that England did not colonize America to protect it nor to make it flourish but to safeguard its interests. Paine criticizes those opposed to America’s independence...
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...this an accurate estimation, or do words hold a greater significance? How often do we reflect on the gravity that our words carry? How often are we influenced by the words of others? How often do we make decisions based on what other people say? The use of words can indeed have a tremendous impact on our beliefs, attitudes, and worldviews. This has certainly been the case throughout history. In the United States, a few texts have been particularly effective in dramatically reshaping public opinion. Among these are Common Sense by Thomas Paine and Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Texts like these drastically changed the hearts and minds of many Americans, demonstrating the incredible impact that words can have on a group of people. Although Paine was born to a poor family, and although he received limited schooling, in 1776 he abruptly rose from obscurity to become one of the crucial figures of the American Revolution. After immigrating to America in 1774, Paine settled in Philadelphia, where he began a career as a journalist. Soon, America was engaged in a revolution with Great Britain. Although there was significant anti-British sentiment in America at the time, there was hesitation among colonists as to whether they should go to war with Great Britain. Although Paine was relatively unknown, his enormously influential Common Sense ignited the colonies, helping jumpstart the American Revolution. Paine’s purpose in writing Common Sense was to motivate the uncommitted...
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...the entirety of the thirteen colonies had been attending sermons of many popular preachers, preachers such as George Whitefield. But it wasn’t always like that; the great awakening was preceded by a lack of Christianity, and a degradation of moral values. To try to fix this William Stoughton, a minister from New England, in 1688, went to the legislature in Massachusetts and said “O what a sad metamorphasis hath of later years passed upon us in these churches and plantations! Alas! How is New England in danger to be buried in its own ruins”^1. What he tried to say was that throughout time the churches have diminished, and that because of this New England will be sending itself to its grave. The Great Awakening was one of the most swaying religious movements that led people to do good, such as the American Revolution, and in some cases unpleasant acts. To quote Doctor Edwin S. Gaustad “… A revolution, while bringing deprivation and hardship, would bring also a new wholesomeness and vitality to American life.” He said this because he was trying to explain that in the eyes of the colonist’s Britain was starting to become evil, which he showed by quoting John Adams “Calamity will have this good effect, at least: it will inspire Us with many Virtues, which We have not, and correct many Errors, Follies, and Vices, which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy us.” ^2. The general bettering of the Americas wasn’t always brought out by new light teachings such as those from George...
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...cultural patterns. This paper will present two pieces of art, music, architecture, literature, and philosophy from the Enlightenment and Romanic Ages that best represents the developments patterns from that time. Philosophy in the Enlightenment Age focused on an individual’s right to life and liberty. One example of a philosopher from this age is Thomas Jefferson. He famously wrote the Declaration of Independence (1776) that the Continental Congress signed declaring the United States free from the oppression of England. The document begins with, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (us history, 2013). Another such example of philosophy during the Enlightenment Age are the works of Thomas Paine. He wrote two of the most highly influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution. One such pamphlet is Common Sense (1776) (us history, 2011) the all-time bestselling book that advocates America’s independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were chosen as examples because we believe the Declaration of Independence and Common Sense embodies the passion and focus of the Enlightenment period. Philosophy in the Romantic Age shifted from the primary needs of life and liberty to expanding the human mind and appreciating the natural world. Immanuel Kant’s work The Critique of Pure Reason...
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... The American and French Revolutions: Compared and Contrasted The history of the human race always has been, and most likely will always be, that of evolution and revolution. – Lewis F. Korns, Thoughts A revolution occurs when one government is overthrown and replaced with another (Yahoo). The American and French revolutions can be both compared and contrasted in their origins and outcomes. Both revolutions began due to the common peoples’ need to obtain independence and liberty from an oppressive government (2). The American Revolution was triggered by the American colonists’ need for financial independence from the overpowering nation of Great Britain, while the French revolution was a struggle to gain social equality among the masses. Although the American and French Revolutions were fought over some of the same ideas, the American Revolution is considered more "conservative" than the French is (2). The intent of the American revolutionaries was not to initiate a revolution, but rather to gain their freedom from a "long train of abuses" (Jensen). In contrast, the French were trying to cause a true revolution because they were not just fighting for freedom but rather to over throw and remove the monarchy (3). The American revolutionaries had no choice but to defend their liberties and the tactics used by the Americans were not as directly aggressive as those used by the French. The American and French Revolution...
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...Most Americans nowadays like to think that they have the American Revolution pretty well figured out. Conventional wisdom starts the saga in 1763 when Britain, saddled with debt at the close of the Seven Years' War, levied new taxes that prompted her American colonists to resist, and then to reject, imperial rule. Having declared independence and defeated the British, American patriots then drafted the constitution that remains the law of the land to this day. With George Washington's inauguration as president in 1789, the story has a happy ending and the curtain comes down. This time-honored script renders the road from colonies to nation clear, smooth, and straight, with familiar landmarks along the way, from Boston's Massacre and Tea Party through Lexington and Concord, then on to Bunker Hill and Yorktown before reaching its destination: Philadelphia in 1787, where the Founders invented a government worthy of America's greatness. Those Founders are equally familiar. Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison, Sam and John Adams, Patrick Henry and Alexander Hamilton: in the popular mind this band of worthies, more marble monuments than mere mortals, guides America towards its grand destiny with a sure and steady hand. "[F]or the vast majority of contemporary Americans," writes historian Joseph Ellis, the birth of this nation is shrouded by "a golden haze or halo."(1) So easy, so tame, so much "a land of foregone conclusions" does America's Revolution...
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...for “the greatest happiness for all humankind, and equality for all” (Open Polytechnic, 2007, p.9). What would the iconic ethical theorists such as Aristotle, Immanuel Kant and Stuart Mill think of the world of communications today? Media conglomerates control media content and distribution which lock in the extent of diverse views and information. To obtain truth “is essential to the democratic process” but is reliant on an informed audience (Day, 2000, p.80). The dominance of media corporations today fire bombardments of triviality and “deprive their audience of the intellectual nourishment necessary for rational decision making” leads to a loss in integrity towards the media. This loss of integrity is revealed by “manifestations of how truth is often vulnerable to the lure of commercial values” (Day, 2000,...
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...University of Phoenix Material Influences on the Constitution Table Write one or two paragraphs in each section. Include citations for your sources. Documents | Summary | What was its influence on the Constitution? | Magna Carta | Issued by King John of England in 1215 when Englishmen went to the colonies they were given charters that guaranteed them and their heirs would “have and enjoy all liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects.” The document clearly stated that no free man could be prosecuted by any means other than the law of the land. ReferenceAll About History (unkn) The Magna Carta. Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/ on June 6, 2011. | This was used as a template 575 years later in the Bill of Rights toward the fifth amendment. The fifth amendment guarantees “No person shall… be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” | Mayflower Compact | Drawn up by the 41 adult males from the Mayflower, the new settlers from Plymouth created a contract with fair and equal laws, for the “general good”. The Mayflower settlers knew from previous attempts without some type of government they would fail. It allowed them to practice Protestant instead of the Church of England and other liberties without command. ReferenceFeatured Documents (unkn) The Mayflower Compact. Retrieved from http://www.allabouthistory.org/mayflower-compact.htm on June 6, 2011. | The Constitution was created on...
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...As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is in the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while by her dependence on Britain, she is made the make-weight in the scale of British politics” (Bailey 1940, 4). The conflicting interests of the colonists and the European monarchy could not have been more evident. Mercantilism and economic gain was the driving force of North American colonization for the European monarchy, while fleeing unsavory conditions in Europe and building a new life in a free country was the motivation for the colonists. But the personal interests of the colonists came second to Great Britain, who...
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