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Questions and Answers
Who is credited with identifying America as a new continent?
Who is credited with identifying America as a new continent?
Who were the first white people to set foot on the American continent?
Who were the first white people to set foot on the American continent?
What event led to the formation of what we call today America and the United States?
What event led to the formation of what we call today America and the United States?
What is the period from 1607 to 1775 known as?
What is the period from 1607 to 1775 known as?
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Who wrote 'Of Plymouth Plantation', a significant work from the Colonial Period?
Who wrote 'Of Plymouth Plantation', a significant work from the Colonial Period?
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What is the main character of the story of Pocahontas, as written by John Rolf's friend?
What is the main character of the story of Pocahontas, as written by John Rolf's friend?
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What was a significant struggle faced by the Puritans and Pilgrims upon their arrival in America?
What was a significant struggle faced by the Puritans and Pilgrims upon their arrival in America?
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What is a notable example of written work from the Colonial Period?
What is a notable example of written work from the Colonial Period?
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Why is Amerigo Vespucci significant in American history?
Why is Amerigo Vespucci significant in American history?
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During which period were most of the written works created by explorers?
During which period were most of the written works created by explorers?
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Which writer's poetry diverged from the predominantly religious tone of the period?
Which writer's poetry diverged from the predominantly religious tone of the period?
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What period of American literature is associated with the rise of romanticism and transcendentalism?
What period of American literature is associated with the rise of romanticism and transcendentalism?
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Which of the following writers was an American teenage black slave?
Which of the following writers was an American teenage black slave?
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What period of American literature is characterized by a focus on depicting everyday life and society with a more realistic approach?
What period of American literature is characterized by a focus on depicting everyday life and society with a more realistic approach?
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Which period saw significant changes in literary styles and themes, with a focus on breaking traditional forms?
Which period saw significant changes in literary styles and themes, with a focus on breaking traditional forms?
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Who is the author of the essay 'The Poetic Principle'?
Who is the author of the essay 'The Poetic Principle'?
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What period is characterized by a focus on the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior?
What period is characterized by a focus on the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior?
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What is the period from 1775 to 1828 known as?
What is the period from 1775 to 1828 known as?
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Which period includes movements like the Beat Generation and the rise of new voices in American literature?
Which period includes movements like the Beat Generation and the rise of new voices in American literature?
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What is the significance of studying the different periods of American literature?
What is the significance of studying the different periods of American literature?
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What was the estimated native population of America when Europeans arrived?
What was the estimated native population of America when Europeans arrived?
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Which of the following works was NOT influenced by European literary traditions?
Which of the following works was NOT influenced by European literary traditions?
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What was the main reason for the decline in native population from 50 to 100 million to 3 to 5 million?
What was the main reason for the decline in native population from 50 to 100 million to 3 to 5 million?
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Which of the following authors was influenced by Petrarch's sonnets?
Which of the following authors was influenced by Petrarch's sonnets?
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What was the main characteristic of Native American cultures, such as the Cherokee, when it came to war?
What was the main characteristic of Native American cultures, such as the Cherokee, when it came to war?
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What was the significance of Pope Nicholas V's authorities in 1441 and 1452?
What was the significance of Pope Nicholas V's authorities in 1441 and 1452?
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What was the first slave rebellion in America led by?
What was the first slave rebellion in America led by?
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What did colonists in America read alongside European works?
What did colonists in America read alongside European works?
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What was the main influence on early American literature?
What was the main influence on early American literature?
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What was the significance of the interactions and conflicts between influences on American literature?
What was the significance of the interactions and conflicts between influences on American literature?
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What is the main difference between the Catholic Church and Protestantism?
What is the main difference between the Catholic Church and Protestantism?
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Who established the first successful English colony in America?
Who established the first successful English colony in America?
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What is the main theme of John Smith's 'The General History of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles'?
What is the main theme of John Smith's 'The General History of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles'?
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Who wrote the book 'Letters from an American Farmer'?
Who wrote the book 'Letters from an American Farmer'?
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What is the characteristic of Puritan ideology?
What is the characteristic of Puritan ideology?
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What is the main difference between the Puritans and the Pilgrims?
What is the main difference between the Puritans and the Pilgrims?
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What is the significance of the Narratives of Discovery?
What is the significance of the Narratives of Discovery?
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Who wrote the novel 'Rip Van Winkle'?
Who wrote the novel 'Rip Van Winkle'?
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What is the characteristic of the Protestant Church?
What is the characteristic of the Protestant Church?
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What is the main theme of the native text by Sargerivata?
What is the main theme of the native text by Sargerivata?
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Study Notes
The Conception of the American Landscape
- Amerigo Vespucci identified America as a new continent, not Christopher Columbus.
- The Vikings were the first white people to set foot on the American continent, but they did not conceive the idea of America.
- The British, specifically the Puritans and the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, first set foot on the American continent and formed the idea of America.
The Puritan and Pilgrim Experience
- The Puritans and Pilgrims faced struggles regarding their identity, location, and purpose, which is reflected in early American literature.
- The period from 1607 to 1775 is known as the Colonial Period.
Colonial Settlements
- The Puritans settled on the continent and formed colonies in what would become the United States.
- Notable works from this period include Columbus's letters and William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation".
- Benjamin Franklin and Anne Bradstreet were notable writers during this time.
- Phillis Wheatley, an American teenage black slave, emerged as an important writer, offering early insights into racial struggles in America.
The Revolutionary and Golden Ages of American Literature
- The Revolutionary Period (1764-1790) is recognized for its pivotal role in shaping American literature.
- The Early National Period (1775-1828) marks the beginning of what is now called American literature.
- The Romantic Period or Transcendentalism (1828-1865) saw the rise of romanticism in America, which took a unique turn compared to its European counterpart.
- Notable works from this period include Thoreau's "Walden", Walt Whitman's poetry, and Edgar Allan Poe's essay "The Poetic Principle".
Realism and Naturalism
- The Realism Period (1865-1900) focused on depicting everyday life and society with a more realistic approach.
- The Naturalism Period (1900-1940) continued to build on the foundations laid by realism but with a more intense focus on the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior.
Modernism and Post-Modernism
- The Modernist Period (1914-1945) was marked by significant changes in literary styles and themes, with a focus on breaking traditional forms and experimenting with new techniques.
- The Post-War Period (1945-1960s) is usually called the Post-Modern Period, although there is much disagreement about its exact boundaries.
Henry VIII and the Church of England
- Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife, so he wrote a letter to the Pope seeking permission.
- The Pope denied his request, leading Henry to start his own church, establishing the Church of England and breaking all ties with the Catholic Church.
Protestantism and Puritan Ideology
- Protestants do not follow the Catholic Church's authority, so every scripture from that time up until today becomes a source of divine communication.
- In Puritan ideology, everyone has a personal covenant with God, with no mediator. Individualism is fundamental; the individual is the best source of understanding divine influence.
Pilgrims and Puritans in America
- Puritans favored reforms in the Church of England and tried to enforce these reforms, but their efforts ended in disaster.
- In 1630, Puritans left England and formed the Massachusetts Bay Colony in America.
Early American Texts
- The first texts produced in relation to America were called the Narratives of Discovery.
- Important works include John Smith's "The General History of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles" and Native American texts.
American Identity and Literature
- French-American writer John de Crèvecœur's book "Letters from an American Farmer" asked, "What is an American?"
- Washington Irving's novel "Rip Van Winkle" is considered the first major literary work of America.
Literary Traditions and Influences
- Early American literature was influenced by European works such as Beowulf, knight romances, Dante's "Divine Comedy", and "The Canterbury Tales".
- Native American oral cultures and texts also influenced American literature.
Native American Cultures
- Native American oral cultures and texts did not view war as glorious, unlike European cultures.
- The image of women in Native American cultures was also different from European perceptions.
Slavery and Its Impact
- The native population was estimated to be between 50 to 100 million, but after 50 years, this number dropped to 3 to 5 million due to diseases, slavery, and torture brought by Europeans.
- The first slave rebellion in America was by eight African Muslims who killed nine Spaniards in Mexico.
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Description
Learn about the discovery and conception of America, including the roles of Amerigo Vespucci, the Vikings, and the British. This quiz covers the experiences of the Puritans and Pilgrims and their struggles in the New World.