2.  4th & 5th generation Americans
› Virginia, New England
 English subjects
 Little thought given to independence

3.  Attitudes changed
 King George & Parliament
› Imposed regulations threatening liberties of colonists
 War!  American Revolution

4.  1700s
 The Enlightenment
 Scientists: Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton
 Philosophers: Voltaire, Jean-Jacque
Rousseau
 Political Theorists: John Locke

5.  Little interest in the afterlife
 Reason, Science > Faith
 People = naturally good, NOT evil
 Believed a perfect society could exist
 Important figures : Benjamin Franklin,
Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson

6.  Public Writing
› Not soul-searching like Puritans
 Newspapers, magazines, almanacs
 Focus on Politics
› Speeches, pamphlets
 “No Taxation Without Representation!”
 Declaration of Independence
 The Constitution

7.  1706-1790
 Printer  Apprentice to brother in Boston
 16 : Writing for newspaper too
› Pen name = Silence Dogood
 Satire of daily life, politics
 17 : Philadelphia to open own print shop

8.  1771 = 65 yrs old
 Only accounted for life until 1759
 Record of achievements, understanding of
character

9.  Annual publication 1732-1757
 Information, observations, advice
› Moon cycles, weather, calendar
› Aphorisms = sayings
 Very popular!
 Richard Saunders = fake author/editor
› Began as dull, foolish astronomer, developed
into thoughtful, pious, humorous advice-giver

10.  Short sayings with a message
 Made the Almanack a best-seller
 On top or bottom of most pages
 Moral messages, witty remarks
 “If you would know the value of money, try to
borrow some.”