America's Indomitable Character Volume II

Book excerpt: Volume II of America's Indomitable Character has information on: A synopsis of Volume I. A preview concerning the content of Volume II with the sub-themes of Nature, human nature, society, the social contract, and education and how they weave into American character identity. American character identity and its Colonial connection to the philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The historical personage Michel Guillaume (J. Hector St. John) de Crèvecoeur, a French, British, American Colonial citizen, and the America farmer par excellence who posed the famous question: What is an American? Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the developing American character identity. Thomas Paine's revolutionary views on American character identity. Thomas Jefferson's philosophical contributions to American character identity. John Dickinson, America's soldier and founding father. Hugh Henry Brackenridge, American publisher and author who educated Colonial Americans in politics. The literary group the Connecticut Wits who were both for and against America's independent development. The role of Colonial Religion and early attitudes concerning the American Colonial Theater as they relate to American character identity. The American dramatist and jurist Royall Tyler and his play The Contrast (A Comedy in Five Acts) in which the newly developing American consciousness of independence, including female independence, vis-à-vis English foppery and buffoonery are presented. Further, the use of the Native American's chanson du mort, in this case the Song of Alknomook and the dramaturgical presentation of Yankee Doodle are of utmost importance in understanding The Contrast and how they interplay with American character identity. The Albany Plan of Union. The Declaration of Independence written by the Founding Fathers. The Articles of Confederation (and Perpetual Union). A chronology of theatrical events between 1600 and 1800.