Journal Quickwrite 9/16

Writing a detailed paragraph, convince me to buy your favorite candy. •First, establish your ethos (what makes you credible enough to convince me?) Highlight your ethos yellow.

•Then, give me a logos appeal (what logically will convince me?) Highlight your logos green.

• Finally, give me a pathos appeal (what

will emotionally convince me?) Highlight your pathos pink.

A Rationalist’s Revolution“The Age of Reason”

Puritanism gives way to Rationalism

PuritansFocus: GodForm of Government: Theocracy—Divinely

appointed governmentThe American: a hard worker, faithful, spiritual

and family-orientedThe American’s values: based on his

relationship to God and his family.Truth: Acquired through emotional experiencesLiterature: religious, personal texts, poetry

based on God and family

RationalismHumans can arrive at truth by reasoning

(understanding obtained through cause and effect logic) rather than by relying on past

authorities, religious faith or intuition.

Puritanism gives way to Rationalism

RationalismFocus: The nationForm of Government: The emergence of democracyThe American: intellectual, politically-active, self-

made manThe American’s values: higher education, political

debate, survival of the nationTruth: Acquired through intellectual reasoningLiterature: speeches, pamphlets, journals, almanacs,

brochures and autobiographiesRhetoric: derived from the theories of Enlightenment

philosophers and thinkers

The Age of Reason—God’s special gift to humanity is REASON

The American struggle for independence was justified largely by appeals to rationalist

principles. The Declaration of Independence bases its arguments on rationalist assumptions

about the relations between people,

God, and natural law.

What did Deists believe?

In contrast to the Puritans,Deists believed that God wasavailable to all people all of the time.Deists believed that people are inherently good, that every individual had the gift of reason and with that gift could perfect himself or herself and society.

The Rationalist’s Worldview

1. People arrive at truth by using reasoning.

3. God created the universe but does not interfere in its workings. (clock)

2. The world operates according to God’s rules, and through the use of reason we can discover those rules.

4. People are basically good and perfectible.

5. Since God wants people to be happy, they worship God best by helping and understanding others.

6. Human history is marked by progress toward a more perfect existence.

Rationalism: society can be improved…we move toward a more perfect existence.

Revolutionary Influences

John Locke: 17c philosopher• Advocated government with the consent of

the governed• Proponent of government checks and

balances• Revolution is not only a right, but an

obligation in some circumstances• All adults were equal, and none had the right

to "harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions."

Revolutionary Influences

• The power of the king (or any government) is derived from the people, who contract to obey their rulers in exchange for law and security.

• Individuals have a natural right to hold property, and this can never be taken from them without their own consent.

• If a ruler infringes the terms of the contract that empowers him or seizes property without consent, the people can resist and depose him.

Revolutionary Influences

Charles de Montesquieu: French philosopherSeparation of powers! Proposed the system of checks and

balances that characterizes the U.S. government—executive, legislative and judiciary branches

Speech to the Virginia Convention Patrick Henry

The Declaration of IndependenceThomas Jefferson

Common Sense and The CrisisThomas Paine

Poor Richard’s AlmanacBenjamin Franklin

The Puritans came to America in search of religious freedom—their American dream.

The Rationalists’ desire for autonomy sent them in search of independence from British rule—a new independent nation—their American dream.

YOUR HOMEWORK

Go online and find a reputable quote from either•John Locke or •Charles de MontesquieuThat you feel supports his influence on the American Revolution. Be prepared to explain why in tomorrow’s quickwrite. (JL: govt. with consent; CdM separation of powers)

Ex: “The less men think, the more they talk.” CdM http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/charles_de_montesquieu.html