Historical Background

for Early American Literature to 1750

Introduction:

1.) Begin by considering the image on page 92 of the BAAL.

2.) As you may know from past history and/or literature classes, both the Pilgrims and the Puritans figure largely and centrally in any discussion of the origins of this country, the United States of America.

3.) Based on your own background knowledge and ideas, and on your readings of pages 2-27 and 93-106 in the BAAL, why do you think that is? What explanations are offered for this "dominance" of the Pilgrims and Puritans in any talk of the formation of this country?

Other images to consider:

4.) pages 0-1, the three ethnic groups.

5.) pages 17 and 94, early maps.

6.) page 22, the Seal of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

7.) page 26, William Penn in negotiations.

8.) page 99, the New England Primer

9.) The illustrations portray European views of the landscape and inhabitants against modern maps and suggest how print culture was instrumental in the colonization of the Americas.

10.) The early maps demonstrate the little that was known about America in 1507.

11.) These images reinforce how European ideas about North America and its inhabitants were circulated in print culture.

12.)  Consider the impact on readers of such wide-ranging portrayals of the so-called New World in print.

13.) Consider the ways that print culture shaped the Americas of the popular imagination during this period.