AMERICANAMERICAN RATIONALISM RATIONALISM

1750-18001750-1800

RATIONALISM• By the end of the 17th century, REASON began to

present a challenge to the unshakable faith and inflexible customs of the Puritans.

• The belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition.

• Reason – the ability to think in an ordered, logical manner enabled people to discover both scientific and spiritual truth.

• Less focus on hell or life after death and more concern with creating a better life on earth…and yet, Christian beliefs still play a central role for the thinkers of the time.

Philosopher Saint Anselm of Canterbury’s idea "I believe so that I might understand”

is replaced with…

Philosopher René Descartes’s idea "I think, therefore I am."

REASON and LOGIC become more important than only living by FAITH and RELIGION

THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BIBLE• Jefferson changed parts of the

Bible to create a new version—particularly the parts that tell about the life of Jesus.

• He removed the supernatural aspects: miracles, angels, and the divinity and resurrection of Jesus.

• He wanted a Bible that showed Jesus as a great moral teacher, but nothing more.

RATIONALISM THRIVED ON…

• freedom of speech

• freedom from arbitrary rules

• freedom to experiment

• freedom to question existing laws and institutions of authority

Patrick Patrick Henry’s Henry’s Famous Famous Speech :Speech :Let’s Set Let’s Set the Scenethe Scene

In 1765, at the age of 29, In 1765, at the age of 29, Patrick Henry was chosen Patrick Henry was chosen to represent his region in to represent his region in the Virginia House of the Virginia House of Burgesses.Burgesses.

Henry’s first great speech opposed the Henry’s first great speech opposed the “Stamp Act”—in which the British imposed “Stamp Act”—in which the British imposed numerous taxes on colonists that resulted numerous taxes on colonists that resulted

in “taxation without representation.” in “taxation without representation.”

Important events that had Important events that had already occurred included:already occurred included:

• 1770 – The Boston Massacre

Important events that had already Important events that had already occurred included:occurred included:

• 1773 –The Boston Tea Party

Important events that had already Important events that had already occurred included:occurred included:

The Intolerable Acts•a punishment for the Boston Tea Party, which took away numerous rights for colonists in Massachusetts:•no more town meetings, assemblies, or jury trials

Important events that had already Important events that had already occurred included:occurred included:

The Intolerable Acts

•Britain closes the port of Boston

Important events that had already Important events that had already occurred included:occurred included:

The Intolerable Acts

•frustration led to the colonists creating the first Continental Congress in 1774.

Important events that had already Important events that had already occurred included:occurred included:

• The CC petitioned the Brits, asking for a reprieve from the taxation. The Brits agreed, but had some conditions:

• Colonial support of British rule• British Troops stationed

throughout the colonies• Colonies must pay for the troops

March 23, 1775 – Virginia House March 23, 1775 – Virginia House of Burgesses Meetingof Burgesses Meeting

• Patrick Henry proposes a resolution: the colonists should “take up arms.”

• Nearly all the other speakers spoke about the importance of compromising with the British.

• His plan was controversial, contentious, and not well received. He was the underdog. Could he persuade the members?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Patrick_Henry_Rothermel.jpg