Early Colonial Literature (to 1700)UNIT 1: The Natives and the Settlers

• Spaniards explore Florida and the Southwest

• Columbus lands in 1492• Norse explorers land before 1492

Clash of Cultures

• Europeans expose Indians to new, deadly diseases.

• Settlers force some Indians from their traditional homes.

• Interdependence between Europeans and Indians develops.

Clash of Cultures

• Cabeza de Vaca provides firsthand accounts of native life and culture.

• Explorers use their journals to raise funds for further exploration.

• Observations recorded by explorers to New World.

Exploration Literature

Cabeza de Vaca in the Desert by Frederic Remington.

• Had influence on future government of New World

• Complex and egalitarian constitution preserved in oral history

• Mohawk leader Dekanawida unites rival tribes around 1500

Iroquois Confederacy

• Value self-reliance, industriousness, temperance, simplicity

• Use simple forms of worship• Puritans flee religious persecution in

England• Set out new form of government in

Mayflower Compact

Puritan Dominance

• Saintly “elect” are leaders of society

• Use contractual agreement model for constitutional democracy

• Believe a contract exists between God and humanity

• Political views tend to leave little room for compromise

Puritan Politics

• Diaries and histories most common forms of literature

• Viewed life as a journey to salvation

• Believed Bible was literal word of God

• Valued education; Harvard founded sixteen years after first Pilgrims arrived

Puritan Beliefs & Writings

• Within ten months, about 150 people accused—many put to death

• Began in 1691—three women accused of witchcraft

• Strict, repressive society could be one cause for mass hysteria

Salem Witch Trials

Reader's ResponseAfter watching the Introduction Video, write 3-4 paragraphs discussing the historical period we are reading about. What are your thoughts about the early settlers? What do you think of the way the natives were treated? Is there any conflict between your ideas of native treatment and patriotism? Explain.Post response on wiki discussion titled “Discussion 8/20/12” before Wednesday 8/22/12 or submit in writing.

Reader's ResponsePeople have always asked questions about the origins of the world and about their place in the natural order of things. To answer their questions, people have told themselves stories. These stories, called myths, explain the world the people live in and their traditions. Myths comfort people when they are afraid and give them a sense of cultural identity. List myths you are familiar with. What do they explain to people? What comfort might they offer?

Reader's ResponseWe've all listened with rapt attention to stories of people enduring life-threatening circumstances—a flood, a plane crash on a snowy mountain, an earthquake, or captivity as a hostage? Perhaps our fascination with such stories comes from wondering how we would survive if we were put to the same test. Why do you think we are interested in these stories? What do you think might help a person survive a life-threatening situation?

Reader's ResponseMany people would agree that fear is one of the most powerful motivators of human behavior. Fear of injury makes us buckle our seat belts. Fear of failure makes us study or work harder. Edwards and other pastors used harsh warnings in their sermons to make "sinners" understand the precariousness of their situation by actually feeling the fear and horror of their sinful state. Do you think fear is a great motivator? Write about what motivates you and whether you would use fear to motivate someone else.

Reader's ResponseAnne Bradstreet's poem is a response to a terrible personal loss. In trying to work through her loss, Bradstreet portrays an internal debate, a dialogue between herself and her soul. As you read, notice the points at which she questions her thoughts and emotions. Before reading, take some notes on what your response might be if all the material things you hold dear went up in flames.