Colonial (Iida, Jasmin, Ella)

Colonial Period 1607- 1776

The beginning of American literature

What, Where and When

The Colonial Period covers the history of colonization of America. In 1607 the first European nations settled in America to increase their wealth and lifestyle. Spanish were the first to explore the “new world”. They settled in what is now the United States. After them came the English, who settled in present day Virginia. Groups of Englishmen, Frenchmen, Germans, Scots, Irishmen, Dutchmen, Swedes, and many others crossed the Atlantic to come to America, and soon there were settlements all around the land. This is known as the “beginning” of America, and it is also the beginning of the first literary period, the Colonial Period. During this period the first literature pieces arouse in America. The Colonial Period lasted until 1776, the year of the American declaration of independence. The painting below shows the first U.S flag.

 

History Timeline

We made a timeline about the historical events of the Colonial Period, including all the significant wars, events and other happenings during 1607-1776 in America, "The New World". 

Literary Features, Writers & Works

Colonial literature in America was often in the form of nonfiction prose.Literary works were mostly letters, journals, autobiographies, sermons and memoirs and they were written mainly by English authors. The relationship between humans and nature, will and work and also the differences between European and Native American cultures were central themes. During the Colonial period some ideologies were obtained, such as Puritanism, which affected the literature.

First issue of The Boston News-Letter

Central genres of the period aphorism autobiography captivity narrative journal lyric poem narrative poem satirical essay sermon

Most well known writers of the American Colonial Period Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) John Winthrop (1612-1672) Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) William Bradford (1590-1657) Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) Philip Freneau (1752-1832) Captain John Smith (1580-1631) Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)

Anne Bradstreet

Although the literature was mostly non-fiction, with journals and letters, some writers also wrote more spiritual and and emotional texts. The poets Anne Bradstreet and John Winthrop wrote about their spiritual feelings and quests. Bradstreet wrote very personal poems and a personal journal. Some of her most famous poems are “A Letter to Her Husband”, “A Dialogue Between the Old English and the New” and “Another”. John Winthrop wrote a famous public sermon and an intimate journal. Jonathan Edwards and Phillis Wheatley reflected on their faith in their poems and journals. Other writers, including Benjamin Franklin, wrote more public literature to entertain people or to bring forth their political ideas and aims. 

 

Listen to Anne Bradstreets beautiful poem "A Letter to 

her Husband, absent upon Publick Employment"!

Importance Today

Writers from the Colonial Period are not as popular as some authors from other literary movements may be. Colonial literature focused on topics, which were to some extent outdated for Europeans. (In Europe the Age of Enlightenment was going on.) Being “outdated” and so far away from Europe at the time are possibly the reasons why works from the Colonial literary period are not so popular as classics on a worldwide scale. Still the literature from the Colonial Period is a very important part of the American history of literature, as it is the very beginning.

This news article from 2012 celebrates Anne Bradstreet's birthday!

While studying the Colonial Period of American literature, we found out something quite exciting! The Disney movie "Pocahontas" is actually based on the finding and colonizing of America. In the movie, English men sail to Virginia (this actually happened!) in search of gold. In addition, an English character in the movie is named Captain Smith, who was actually there! Pretty cool! Here's a clip of the movie.

References: 

• http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/history/history.htm
• http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_subj.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_history_of_the_United_States
• http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/history-1954/the-colonial-period.php
• http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/American_Literature/Colonial_Period_(1620s-1776)
• http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/lit/
• http://www.ehow.com/list_7866574_characteristics-colonial-american-literature.html
• https://www3.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/puritans.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials
• http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401800644.html
• http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/newspaper/
• http://www.colonialwarsct.org/1637.htm
• http://historyofmassachusetts.org/slavery-in-massachusetts/
• http://www.fi.edu/franklin/
• http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/king-philips-war
• http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-love-letter-to-her-husband/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Great_Awakening#American_colonies
• http://www.kellscraft.com/EventsBoston/EventsBoston16.html
• http://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/french-indian-war
• http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_and_Indian_War
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party
• http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence
• http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War
• http://www.northescambia.com/2012/06/flag-day-a-betsy-ross-history-lesson
• http://annebradstreet.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/anne-cover-citizen060.jpg
• http://tmgdigitalmarketingsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/357px-Boston_News-Letter_first_issue1.jpeg