Curated OER
The French Revolution
Plenty of events and attitudes incited the French Revolution. Your class will learn all about the causes, effects, and changes that took place during and after this war. Each slide is put together in an easy-to-follow fashion, with...
Curated OER
Annotated Timeline of The American Literary Movement
How did literature evolve in America? This presentation briefly covers the transition from Puritan American all the way until today's Contemporary Period. Key figures from each time period are introduced, and a brief overview of each...
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: The Enlightenment in America
Article on the Age of Enlightenment or Reason in which political thought was transformed during the 18th Century.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook
A rich Fordham University site of primary source material that include full-text, and multimedia sites. There are additional study and research guides such as Modern History in the Movies.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Philosophy and Literature: Intellectual Climate
Discusses the intellectual atmosphere in the 1800s as America struggled to find its identity. The influences of the Enlightenment and Romanticism are described, and the ideas of various writers and philosophers.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Philosophy and Literature: Two Philosophies
Explains what the 'Scottish philosophy' was and how well it fitted with American sensibilities in the 1800s. Over time it evolved into the American philosophy of Pragmatism. The other philosophy that took hold in some groups of society...
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: The Enlightenment
A great essay on the Enlightenment period of the 18th century with hyperlinks to many individuals and movements of the time. A very scholarly look at the "age of enlightenment."
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Jean Jacque Rousseau, 1712 1778
A good biography of French Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, his philosophical writings and his influential idea of a 'Social Contract' between people and their ruler.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Thomas Paine, 1737 1809
An in-depth profile of Thomas Paine and discussion of his literary works. Includes links to e-texts of his writings.
Other
Biographies: Thomas Paine
Detailed biography of the American revolutionary writer and thinker Thomas Paine. Includes discussion of the influence of his writing on international affairs.
Other
Book Review: Becoming America:the Revolution Before 1776
A detailed review by James T. Kloppenberg, constructively criticizing the author's (Jon Butler) thesis that ties between colonial religion and politics are exaggerated.
C-SPAN
American Writers: Thomas Paine
An informational site on Thomas Paine. Includes general information about his life, works, and writings, including Common Sense and The Age of Reason. Also includes links to other sites.
BBC
Bbc History: Thomas Paine
Professor John Belchem, of the University of Liverpool, writes this scholarly profile of Thomas Paine for BBC History. In it he describes the tenor and impact of Paine's writings and explains the significance of Paine's thinking on the...
Other
Secular Humanism: Thomas Paine
The Secular Humanism site looks at Thomas Paine and his political philosophy based in deist thought.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Beginnings of Revolutionary Thinking: Impact of Enlightenment
The ideas of the Enlightenment began in Europe, but they were acted upon in the American colonies. See how the philosophies of John Locke and Rousseau influenced the thoughts and actions of Puritan clergy and political figures like...
Other
Mit Open Course Ware: The Age of Reason, Europe in the 18th and 19th Centuries
University-level syllabus, reading suggestions, assignments, and related materials for a course on the Age of Reason.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Politics and Religion
The Civil Wars and the Restoration of the monarchy, the Enlightenment or 'Age of Reason', and British colonialism: investigate the political and religious contexts of Restoration and 18th-century literature.
Other
Media Visions: Meet Thomas Paine, a Visionary Revolutionist
This biographical article discusses Thomas Paine (1737-1809), English writer and social activist, who is best known for his popular essay, Common Sense, the pivotal call for American independence and democracy.
Other
The Age of Enlightenment in the Paintings of France's National Museums
Contains a brief history and listing of artists in France during the late 18th century. Focus of this site is on painting and portraits of key figures from this time.