Lesson 1 /Activity 1.1 What is the Age of Reason?

Lesson 1/Activity 1.2 - Background and Rationale-Age of Reason

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Image of author,Thomas Paine.

“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.” ― Thomas Paine, Works of Thomas Paine^[2]

Summary: The late 1770s to early 1800s in America was a time of change. The split from the Church of England resulted in an emphasis on reason over the church as fact. A secondary result was of a strong feeling of American patriotism. The medium of this time was primarily political pamphlets, speeches, essays and documents. This was also a time of reform, as seen in The Declaration of Independence.

Learning Target:         

I can explain how American thinking evolved from the Colonial Period to the Age of Reason.

Activity 1.1 - Complete steps 1-2

STEP 1:

Complete the Pre-assessment prompts below.

What is the Age of Reason in American Literature and what is its relationship to America’s past?

• Construct a short paragraph discussing what you think you know about the Age of Reason.
• Construct a second paragraph discussing its role in America’s past.

STEP 2.

Submit response paragraphs.