The Age of Reason (or The Enlightenment)
What may have contributed to the changing attitudes toward Native Americans?
- Conflicts had died down between the groups. - There became less emphasis on trying to convert or kill the natives. Religion was used as less of an instigator since the religious influence of the Puritans waned. - Many Native American tribes were helpful in the Revolutionary War. (Franklin's writing occurred 100 years after Mary Rowlandson. His portrayal of the natives is generally kind and was part of a movement that worked towards views of the Native Americans as noble, virtuous, and (in some ways) wise neighbors. While this was not the predominant view in the colonies, it became a significant one.)
How does Franklin expose the problem of thinking of one culture as superior to another?
- He exposes this through the example whereby the natives sent some young men to be educated by the Americans but came back not knowing enough of the ways of the natives to be useful in their own society. They then offer to educate a dozen sons of Virginians (an offer that would be immediately declined). - The example of the Swedish minister who tells the Indians his tale of religion and the respond respectfully, but he is disrespectful when they share one of their religious tales. - He exposes many of the practices of settlers who sought to cheat the natives of their lands and goods. The infamous story of the purchase of Manhattan would be a good example of this. Often their hospitality was abused.
Who was Ben Franklin?
- He lived from 1706-1790. He was born in Boston, as a teenager he first go into print by sending letters to the newspaper his brother published. He used the woman's pseudonym "Silence Dogood" and in this persona, ridiculed the way women were treated. These letters became a hit in the newspaper. He eventually admitted to his brother that he was the author, but his brother was not pleased. - When smallpox started breaking out across the area, he & his brother came into conflict with the Mather family, who supported inoculation. During the feud, his brother was seen as disrespectful to the clergy and was jailed. Ben ran the newspaper while he was in jail, but upon his release the two brothers did not get along. Ben was even regularly beaten by his brother, so he ran away from his hometown at age 16 to Philadelphia. This was a bold move at the time because running away was illegal for someone his age.
Franklin's beliefs:
- He strongly believed the people should work to control and purge their vices---the carnal urges they have. These included sexual urges as well as any other desires one experienced. - He systematized virtues and was instrumental in spreading these ideas in his writing. He emphasized moderation (not doing anything to excess) and allowing the rational mind to be in control. - He believed time is important—use it! Organized religion is not rational, so be respectful of it (so as to not get in trouble), but he generally didn't believe one should subscribe to its ideas. - His philosophy might be seen as somewhat cold, mechanistic, use-oriented. He believes that one who achieves these virtues will be rewarded with money and fame. In this way, Franklin is an extremely important figure in the emergence of the American capitalist ethic. - This use-oriented philosophy seems to objectify others (what can they do for me)---don't damage others but human connections are not that important. For example, charity is seen as too emotional and doesn't make sense in this use-oriented philosophy. - Towards the end of his life, he did feel some regret for such a use-oriented philosophy because he felt it had kept him from having successful, deeply-felt personal relationships and also possibly limited his openness to a more spiritually-focused life.
His role as a one of the nation's founders:
- He was serving in France while the Constitution was written and only corresponded with its writers. While many of his views are represented in the Constitution (such as the separation of church and state), he was consciously not invited to the convention because many southern delegates believed he would argue too forcefully to include an outlawing of slavery within the Constitution itself. - The Constitution created a stronger federal government than Jefferson would have liked (leaving the states with limited power). However, he was the primary force in insisting that Madison (the constitution's primary writer) include a Bill of Rights, which protected the rights of individuals and of the states. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion were key among these. -He served as Ambassador to France, as the first Secretary of State, and then Vice President. In 1800, he ran for President, but the election resulted in an electoral tie with Aaron Burr. This tie was decided by the House of Representatives (Jefferson won) and he served 2 terms as President. - He became the third President of the United States and was the first Democrat to serve as President. He died on July 4th, 1826---50 years exactly after the Declaration of Independence, the same day as John Adams (the 2nd President of the U.S.). Even though they had been political rivals decades before, they had corresponded a great deal and became close friends after their presidential years.
Ben Franklin's Life
- In his teens/early 20's, he fathered a child out of wedlock, and then settled down with his sweetheart (a different woman) and opened his own print shop. He started publishing a Philadelphia newspaper and put in letters/columns under aliases. - Franklin used Socratic inquiry as a method of learning and argument. He referred to himself as a "humble inquirer and doubter." In other words, he greatly trusted Reason. He was, therefore, a great doubter of Puritanism. - In 1733, he published Poor Richard's Almanac., at first under an alias,which became a huge hit. It included insights about weather, recipes, but also tons of witty/wise sayings. This was the biggest bestseller of the colonial years. - As time went by, he became more involved in civic life, invented many things, and even helped discover the power of electricity
"Notes on the State of Virginia--- Query XVII: Religion"
- Jefferson notes that in England, the Puritans had been oppressed because they maintained different religious views than the Anglican Church. -He then points out that in Virginia (where he was Governor) the assembly rejected all acts of the British Parliament (in 1776, a few months before independence) that punished or made criminal any opinions on religion. He is arguing that the state and new American laws should not in any way punish people for differing religious opinions. - He argues that Reason is paramount (p. 519) and that it will reveal the truth of "true religion." It is crucial to allow for "free enquiry" so that people may think about religion in whatever way they like so as to ultimately discover the truth. If people are forced, coerced, or thoughtlessly led to specific religious beliefs, they are not going to really know the truth of them (or recognize error/false beliefs). He point out that governments make mistakes, so the government should not get involved with religion. If the government tries to force belief, it is not going to get the same respect as if people come to those ideas through their own free choice (see his example about gravity—pg. 519-520). - He suggests that it is GOOD to have a diversity of views in any society (p. 520). - He points out the countless bloodshed in the name of forcing religion on people and he says this coercion simply makes "half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites" (p. 520). This echoes Roger Williams' views from over 100 years beforehand. - He also points out that a major reason to make sure the government isn't connected to religion is because even if those in government right now are wise and good in the application of such laws, other lesser people in the future might abuse such laws and ultimately use them to punish righteous people (p. 520-21).
"Letter to James Madison"
- This letter was written by Jefferson in response to the proposed Constitution. He generally accepts the form of federal government Madison & others proposed. He sees as key the idea that the representatives be elected by the people (although he eventually gives in and accepts that the Senate will not be elected directly by the people but instead by the state legislatures. This didn't change till 1913). - He clearly argues for a Bill of Rights to ensure that the people's personal freedoms are protected. While not choosing all the language, he basically wrote the Bill of Rights (and wouldn't give his consent to the Constitution unless it was added on). He believes these rights are not just good ideas, but things to which all human beings are naturally entitled ("inalienable rights"). - He greatly fears politicians (particularly the President) becoming entrenched in their positions. Like Paine, he would favor term limits. He preferred only one term because he thought the people would always stick with the same President unless a radical issue arose because they were generally used to the long reign of monarchs. - He wanted to see America primarily as an agricultural nation, not one focused on industry and commerce. A nation too focused on an industrial economy would lead to money/power being overly concentrated in the hands of only a small percentage of people. This concern generally showed itself to be true, as the cause of the Great Depression in the 1920's-1930's was the over-concentration of wealth in the hands of a few due to the industrialization of the American economy.
Thomas Jefferson
- Thomas Jefferson lived from 1743-1826. Thomas Jefferson was a primary founding father. He wrote the The Declaration of Independence. - In its original rough draft he clearly was anti-slavery, arguing that the British were responsible for importing slaves to America and "had waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere." While this was clearly anti-slaverly, it was dropped due to opposition by representatives from South Carolina & Georgia.
Thomas Paine's life
- Thomas Paine was born in 1737 in England, the son of a Quaker. He was largely unsuccessful in life till his late 30's. - In 1774, he met Ben Franklin, who encouraged him to go to America. He moved to Philadelphia and became a writer. Spring 1775- He first published his "African Slavery in America," criticizing slavery in America as being unjust and inhumane. - Paine sense tension in Philadelphia against the British rule. -He believed colonies had all the right to revolt against a government that imposed taxes on them but which did not give them the right of representation in British Parliament. -But he went even further: for him there was no reason for the Colonies to stay dependent on England. -On January 10, 1776 Paine formulated his ideas on American independence in his pamphlet Common Sense. -He is the ideological father of the American Revolution. Without him, the general public—and many of the elite—would not have supported a push for independence. -During the Revolutionary War, he published 16 American Crisis pamphlets. --These pamphlets were essential in recruiting men to volunteer for Washington's army. Without his efforts, the Revolutionary War would likely have failed. -Those pamphlets talked the way regular folks talked, convincing them of the need for the sacrifice that war/independence would require. To support the French Revolution, he published The Rights of Man, arguing the people had the certain inalienable rights, including the right to fair, representative government. -He also argues that government doesn't have the right to take away an individual's rights unless they submit to it for the greater good. -After the French Revolution succeeded, he went to France, but was imprisoned there because he had spoken out against executing the French King. -During his imprisonment, he wrote The Age of Reason, which discussed his views on religion and government. As you can see, his ideas were VERY radical for the time and still would be considered extremely radical. -He later returned to America, but was largely forgotten or disliked for his views on religion. -He died in 1809 in America, relatively forgotten in his own time, but later generations came to re-appreciate his importance in bringing popular support to the idea of American Independence and his influence on the ideals of separation of Church and State that became enshrined in the Constitution.
"The American Crisis
-"The American Crisis" pamphlets were written when the outcome of the Revolutionary War was clearly in doubt. It looked as if Washington's troops were on the verge of defeat. He wrote these pamphlets to try to convince colonists that they needed to support the Revolution not only with their beliefs, but also by volunteering to serve in the army. This, in itself, is quite a feat. It is quite difficult to convince people to give up the relative ease and security of colonial life and to risk one's life in what, to many, looked like a hopeless cause. -His view of America as being potentially free of the messy history and feuds of Europe (see p. 498-499) is one that was descended from the thinking of the Puritans and was very much in the minds of the founding fathers. -He argues for the right of each STATE and COUNTY to bear arms.....and that no one state or county should be persuaded to giving these up or otherwise they will be overrun (militarily or politically). He says that "mutual fear is the principal link in the chain of mutual love." Some have suggested this is where the constitutional argument for the right to bear arms initiated. But notice that both here and in the Constitution, the focus is more on the ability of the state or county to defend itself than on that of individuals. Thus, neither the founding fathers nor the Constitution itself explicitly gave the right for individuals to bear arms. Nonetheless, constitutional scholars would argue that this right was not expressly forbidden either. -These writings, therefore, are essential in modern-day arguments about issues of gun control and gun-owner rights, although they are not as simply interpreted as some would suggest. This argument for the right to bear arms (and the one enshrined in the Bill of Rights by Thomas Jefferson) was based on the idea that if the people found their government to be corrupt, they should have the right and the means to overthrow it. Nowadays, that idea is unrealistic in America because the federal government has a professional military to protect itself from insurrection. However, Paine, Jefferson, and most of the other founding fathers argued strongly against a "standing army"—i.e., a professional military—because they felt it would endanger the concept that the people had the right to revoke the government's authority if the government was no longer truly representative of them or respecting their inalienable rights. -He is not afraid to use base language in the way he refers to the Tories or the British (see pg. 500) and certainly employs a great deal of appeal to the emotions of the reader. He appeals to the reader's higher emotions—love of children and future generations, and love of liberty. He also appeals to their lower emotions—fear of the British, fear of what other Americans will do if one assists the British, fear that the British or the Hessians might rape/sleep with the colonists' wives! (see pg. 501
"The Age of Reason"
-He wrote this essay while imprisoned in France. Not only does he apply what he sees as obvious rational deduction to issues of religion/faith, but he also discusses whether religion and government should be combined. -He strongly argues against believing elements of Christianity (or any religion) that are irrational. -He firmly believes that one cannot trust things that others claim to have heard from God. We must hear it ourselves or simply not trust it to be true. -He ridicules the idea of Christianity as supremely true, arguing that its basic storyline is quite similar to many other religions, including the "heathen mythology" of the Greeks and Romans. -Since it isn't rational to assume that one particular religion is correct, we should definitely not force anybody to believe something they don't want to believe in. Therefore, he strongly argues for religious tolerance and passionately believes that religion and government should not be intertwined. -Clearly, you can see that Paine's views were very radical for his time (and even today). He believes that reason is all we can trust (thus, "my own mind is my own church"---p. 502). -He was one of the first thinkers to really critique religion, not only in a rational sense but to look at how it might end up being a tool for those seeking to gain power and money. In other words, religion might be something that people in power abuse in order to justify and maintain their power. -Thus, religion becomes connected to those who are actually corrupt and serves as a tool to maintain the status quo. The irony of this, of course, is that in so doing the institutionalized religion may actually be violating the spirit of its holy texts. -He suggests that Deism is just a stripping away of all the extraneous stories that have been added to the one universal religion (God as benign creator). While he does define Deism, most of the founding fathers (who were generally Deists) would not have espoused all of his more radical views. Few people of his time would have dared to have said what he said. Yet his views were such that the founding fathers wanted to allow for in allowing for freedom of religion and maintaining a clear separation of church and state. Only in a nation where such differences were allowed could there be a chance to truly gain any real national unity and allow for the emergence of democratic ideals.
His views on religion and government
-In 1779, he helped pass the "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom" which forcefully argued against the government supporting any religion in any official or monetary way. - Like Paine, he had highly controversial views on religion. He believed that Jesus was a wonderful moral example who had truly tapped the divine essence within himself (as a human), but did not believe that Jesus was actually God, because he defined God as creator (first cause, not something that could be split into distinct persons—the Trinity). He also did not believe that miracles were true, but instead had been added to the Bible after the fact. These beliefs would classify him as a Deist. He actually revised his own version of the Bible in order to remove many of the supposed miracles and published this as the Jefferson Bible. He did not see this as anti-religious or anti-Christian, but rather as getting back to what he saw as the truth of Christianity. - He believed in a "wall of separation between Church and State." This belief was the foundation for the 1st amendment to the Constitution. - He wasn't arguing that people (or even himself) couldn't follow religion, but simply that the government shouldn't get involved in it.
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
-This essay was written BEFORE the Declaration of Independence. In fact, this was the inspiration for independence from England and was one of the first public calls for independence. -Paine clearly does not see government as a good thing. It is meant to restrain our evil vices and in itself is dangerous. Yet, it is generally necessary in some limited way to restrain us from hurting others. However, the evil of government in itself (restraining people) is not worth it if the government is worse that the kinds of evils it restrains. In other words, only a government that is good is worth it. - The positives to having a good government are that it will allow one to feel secure and yet still feel a sense of personal freedom. -Note that Paine uses the image of slavery to describe the colonies' relationship with England. The founding fathers generally viewed slavery as an immoral concept (although they did not all agree on whether the practice of enslaving Africans should be abolished). -Paine clearly argues for a representative government. -Paine clearly would have supported term-limits. The idea was to keep the representatives closely intertwined with those they represented AND to make sure they didn't get entrenched. If they can be continuously re-elected, they lose a sense of closeness and accountability to the people. In short, they can become corrupt and aloof. -Note that in justifying all these views, he tries to show that they are rational (see end of pg. 495). That's why this is referred to as simply COMMON SENSE.
Lesson #9
Ben Franklin
What is Deism?
Deism—the belief of God as creator, they used the metaphor of a clockmaker who set the world in motion and then stood back to let it operate on its own. This viewed God as distant and religion as not nearly as important. God did not seek to be worshiped (no ego)....just God as creator (often referred to as "first cause").
What happened in 1700's ?
During this 1700's, a number of thinkers (and much of the European and American populace) began to turn away from the purely religious-based thinking of the Puritans and other groups towards a more rational (less faith-based) view of the world. This did not mean that they totally rejected religion, but rather that many did not assume that religion (or things like the Bible) were the only trustworthy source of Truth. Instead, they held that Truth could be found through rational thought and logical investigation.
In 1640 what did Galileo find?
Galileo used math to dissect nature of the universe. He discovered the fact that the earth revolved around sun, and that we did not live in a geocentric universe. This important discovery launched a time period where science became paramount. People began to believe in nature's laws and thought that math/science could lead to a greater rational understanding.
Jefferson and Slavery
In 1769, as a member of the Virginia legislature, he tried to get slavery outlawed in Virginia, but failed. Yet he owned over 100 slaves of his own. He is known to have had a longtime affair with one slave—Sally Hemmings, and to have fathered children with her. Their relationship spanned many of the years after his wife had died. For more on Jefferson's complicated relationship with slavery as well as his relationship with Sally Hemmings, Frontline presents 4 video chapters (approx. 7 minutes each) discussing these issues.
Jefferson and Paine
It is hard not to notice the influence of Thomas Paine's ideas in the Declaration of Independence. Remember, Paine's Common Sense was one of the key documents of its time and was the spark for calls for independence. Similarities between Thomas Paine's ideas and those expressed in Jefferson's Declaration of Independence: The belief that people have certain inalienable rights. Recognizing God's presence through the wonders of nature. That government is a man-made thing, not given by God. Governments get their right to exist by CONSENT of the governed. And, in extreme cases, this consent can be revoked. Liberty (personal freedom) is an inalienable (inherent) human right.
Does Jefferson believe in the divinity?
Jefferson does not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Religion and the Founding Fathers
Most students are extremely surprised to see the thoughts that Americas "founding fathers" had toward organized religion. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Thomas Paine were largely against organized religion, believing that it was a tool to manipulate people and/or that it dulled people's capactity for rational thought. They made what would now be considered highly controversial statements on religion which, at the time, were not considered very controversial among the intellectual classes. Oddly, none of these men would have any chance of becoming prominent in American politics today because of these religious views. Nonetheless, during this time period, these views of religion were rather commonplace among the great thinkers of the time.
The Age-of-Reason thinkers generally believed these concepts:
Nature needed to be understood so that it may be harnessed/used. Many turned away from traditional religious belief to views that are classified as Deism. T This time included a great belief in progress and there was much optimism that the movement of mankind was towards the better. Science would lead the way. In addition, these thinkers were pragmatic about power and saw the struggle for power as a crucial force in how the world worked. Understanding the world-view developed in this time period is crucial because this covers the time period when the United States was born as a nation. The thinkers we'll be discussing in this unit—Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, and others—were all "Age of Reason" thinkers who were shaped by the attitudes of this time. In many ways, their views were shaped as a direct reaction against the thinking of the mainstream Puritans of the 1600's and early 1700's.
The Declaration of Independence"
The Declaration of Independence was not only a bold political document which put at risk the lives of all who signed it, but it was also an important piece of literature. It was unique for its statements about human rights and the relationship between government and the people. The ideas contained within it dramatically shaped American culture and ideals. These thoughts also spread across Europe, inspiring Enlightenment thought and political reform there as well.
What is the main point Franklin is trying to portray with this writing?
The Natives are not mere savages, but rather have their own way of viewing the world and are often more "civilized" than the American colonists.
What is the Enlightenment period?
The time period of the 1600's to late 1700's is often referred to as "The Age of Reason"
What are the beliefs of Deism ?
This view wanted to remove much of the division created by religion and instead focus on the basics of God as creator. God wanted men to lead virtuous lives and there is some (afterlife) reward/punishment for behavior. But prayer was seen as irrelevant because God did not intervene in the overall machinery of the world once he set it in motion. He also is not an ego-driven being that seeks to be worshipped. These thinkers saw human beings as inherently good. Human beings determined their own destiny; There was no predestination. Each human being was responsible for controlling themselves. They were not controlled by God or the devil.
Lesson #11
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine is one of the most important "founding fathers" of the nation. Without his writings, the push for independence would not have happened during this time period. In addition, his writings were an essential element in helping the revolution succeed militarily
Jefferson's 1st draft of The Declaration of Independence.
https://bconline.broward.edu/content/Term2021/462166-ENGVBASE_AML2010663907/jefferson%20folder_1/jefferson%201st%20draft_declaration.mp3?_&d2lSessionVal=6IYPcqNKMkY0Sx765MrJqPmfB&ou=462166
After the Salem Witch Trials, what happened to Puritanism? (1692)
the influence of Puritanism declined in New England and was rivaled (and eventually superseded) by the Age of Enlightenment thinkers such as Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and the other "founding fathers" of the nation.
