Title: The Intersection of Politics and Literature in the Colonial Period
The colonial period especially in American literature remains one of the most
interesting periods that held a strong relationship between literature and politics. This
period, which started around the early 1600s up to the late 1700s, was characterized by
political changes such as colonization, the fight for independence, and the early
development of American politics. Political relationships of this period are thus reflected
and manifest in this literature in complex ways. The books of colonial authors not only
serve as records and commentaries of the reality they experienced but also effectively
broach the political realm as well as public opinion.
During this period, the colonies underwent many changes that were a result of
different political, social, and economic factors. The colonial relations of Europeans with
the natives, the impact of religion in colonial policies, and the growing trend among the
colonies to assert their independence from the European mother countries were major
factors in the colonial experience. Literature of this period can be examined for shaping
these developments and for presenting the relationship of political ideas with everyday
life experience.
Important personalities like John Winthrop, Roger Williams, Benjamin Franklin,
as well as Phillis Wheatley employed writing as a tool to discuss and even critique the
political culture of the period. It is their contribution to show how literature can be a wire
through which politics is conducted and change is achieved. Studying these works will
help students better understand the political concepts and processes that shaped
colonial writers as well as the significance of their works for further American political
thinking.
The American Colonial Context
During the colonial period in America, the territory was divided into many
colonies, each of which belonged to a different European power and had different
political systems, social classes, and customs. The British colonies, which would in the
future make up the United States, were particularly significant in their political
development. Political institutions and concepts that formed the base of the early
American Political system were documented by early settlers with a mixture of rights,
governance, and liberty from the English. These ideas were taken and ‘implemented’ in
the new world, where the realities of colonial life required new ways of looking at how
people were to be governed and how society had to be ordered.
Conflict and Cooperation with Native Americans
The relations between Europeans and Native American tribes played a crucial
role in the development of the political system of colonial America. These relations were
antagonistic but at the same time symbiotic and played a big role in the aspect of
colonialism. These dynamics were earlier depicted in literature where there was light
shed on perceptions, lack of them, and political relations of the era.
War was another important theme, as colonists continued to settle in Native
territories and engage in battles and wars. These conflicts were recorded in several
forms including captivity narratives; which were accounts of settlers who had been
captured by Native Americans. Such accounts, including Mary Rowlandson’s “The
Sovereignty and Goodness of God” (1682), portrayed Native Americans as savage and
cruel – a depiction informed by the colonists’ prejudice and aggression. Such portrayals
only served to give colonialist ideologies the stamp of approval for subjugating the
indigenous populations.
But, there were documented cases of cooperation and alliance as reported in the
literature. Records of treaties and agreements, which were signed between the settlers
and native tribes were some of the subjects that were documented and written by the
early colonials. For instance, the account of John Smith, the chief of the Jamestown
colony, contains passages describing interactions and business transactions with Native
Americans. Smith’s viewpoints raised topics of joint interest and empathy to
demonstrate that cooperation was vital if colonies were to thrive.
Another point of view is presented in the missionaries’ narratives since many of
them aimed at evangelizing the Native Americans. Such attempts were portrayed as
benevolent as they aimed at raising the standards of living among indigenous people
and, eventually, saving their souls. Interactions were not only political but multicultural
and religious, as in the case of John Eliot who translated the Algonquin version of the
Bible.
Religious Influence
Religious factor was one of the key aspects of the formation of America as
several colonies were founded for religious freedom. Religious and political themes
remain intertwined and prominent in the literature of the period, as religion played an
important part in the development of colonialism and administration. One of the main
reasons for people’s immigration to America at the beginning of its colonization was
their persecution because of their religious beliefs and many left Europe in search of
freedom to worship in America. For example, the Puritans established the
Massachusetts Bay Colony to establish a society that reflected their religious beliefs.
This vision is perhaps best exemplified by John Winthrop’s sermon “A Model of
Christian Charity” delivered in 1630, which sets out a scheme for a society that is based
on Christianity. His famous metaphor of the colony as a ‘’city upon a hill,” indicates that
their colony should be a model to emulate by others.
Many rulers and politicians were religious leaders themselves, meaning that
there was a great interconnection between the church and politics. Some of these
people are Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, they fought against the idea of
religious monopoly and for the disestablishment of religion. Williams spoke especially in
the pamphlet “The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution”(1644), where he defended the right to
religious freedom and protection of conscience, thus contributing to the future evolution
of America's religious and political philosophies.
This is evident in the literature of this period where there was a close relationship
between religion and politics. It gradually becomes possible to preach, write tracts, and
even legal opinions as well as justify new political strategies and societal standards in
terms of religion. For instance, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact in 1620
which contained both a biblical pledge as well as a secular one, thus, uniting the
concept of faith and politics.
Also, political consequences were seen in the Great Awakening of the 1730s and
1740s which were a series of religious revivals. If Jonathan Edwards and his famous
sermon, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,’ delivered in 1741, required people to
repent and revive the religious activity then the preachers played important roles in the
formation of the collective American experience. This movement was instrumental in
rallying together people and creating a nationwide recapitulation path which would later
result in independence.
Struggle for Autonomy
With the colonies’ growth and development, calls for independence and self-rule
emerged as prominent motifs in American literature. The growing disenchantment with
the distant colonial rulers, especially the British Crown, was the main cause of many
works of political and literary tendencies of the period. Writers employed their works as
complaints, demands to be left alone, and as preparation for the minds of the people to
envision freedom.
John Wise was one of the first colonists to fight for colonial rights. He wrote a
pamphlet in 1717 known as “A Vindication of the Government of New England
Churches” where he opposed arbitrary power and supported democratic rule both in
church and state. However, the ideas presented by Wise gave input to the developing
perception that the colonies were capable of managing themselves and they did not
need the rule of the faraway and autocratic British Monarchy.
This created room for newspapers and pamphlets, which are instrumental in
spreading revolutionary ideas due to the invention of the printing press. People such as
Benjamin Franklin utilized literature to comment on British procedures and assert the
ideas of American character together with togetherness. “Poor Richard’s Almanack” and
a few essays written by Franklin presented the pragmatic and philosophical approaches
as to why the American colonies should govern themselves with Goals such as
diligence economic productivity and accountability. “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine
was a prominent pamphlet on the option of independence in 1776. Thus, the clear and
powerful language of the written part of Common Sense and the arguments against
monarchy and for the rights of a person made Paine’s work appealing to the larger
populace to rally behind the revolutionaries. Thus, his advocacy of independence was
not only a political necessity but also a question about the rights of the colonists.
Other forms of literature from this period were speeches, letters, and essays that
captured the escalating colonial rebellion against Britain. Some of the major works
output in terms of events were the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, the Boston Tea Party
in 1773, and the First Continental Congress in 1774.
Slavery and Indentured Servitude
Indeed, the economy of many American colonies was built on the backs of black
slaves and white indentured servants, servants during the colonies' development and
farming stage. Such practices that were a part of colonial society were both defended
and condemned, in contemporary writings, revealing the colonial society’s perception of
slavery and human rights.
Historically, those who supported the continuance of slavery and indentured
servitude also used literary works as a means of defense. Pamphlets, legal writing,
newspaper ads, and religious pamphlets were used to justify the oppression of African
slaves and indentured servants. For instance, the proponents of slaveholding used
economic posteriori and scriptures to argue that slaveholding was an order from God.
Slaves and indentured servants were advertised, for example, in colonial newspapers in
the same ‘history’ as trade goods, and often in the same ad; thus they are portrayed as
valuable commodities and devalued as people in the same instance.
On the other hand, the emergence of professors making abolitionist literature
was observed as they questioned the norms and standards of ethics and morality in the
context of slavery and indentured servitude. Among the first and most notable voices of
dissent was the one belonging to the African American poet Phillis Wheatley. Through
her poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America”, Wheatley engaged in a rather
subliminal critique of slavery, emphasizing the sin of all humankind and their equal
eligibility for redemption regardless of their color.
Other criticisms include Samuel Sewall, a Massachusetts judge who wrote ‘The
Selling of Joseph’ in 1700 which became one of the earliest texts advocating the
abolition of slavery in America. Sewall’s work discussed the evils of slavery and called
for its abolition on moral grounds as Christian teachings forbid such practices. Speaking
about slavery, he referred to religious and ethical imperatives, pointing out that it was
inhuman to enslave people.
Similarly, indentured servitude was also a similar form of bondage and elicited
criticism. Servants’ contracts kept them working for a particular period in degrading
conditions in exchange for passage to America. Historical writing of the time includes
letters and diaries of the indentured servants which depicted their hardships and the
generally abusive nature of the contracts. These personal narratives gave a much
bleaker picture than what was depicted in the pamphlets published to attract workers to
the colonies.
Political Ideas in Colonial Literature
Some colonial writers as far as the political thoughts of independence were
concerned presented raw ideas in their books and raised questions regarding political
issues associated with liberty, justice, and government.
John Winthrop and the Puritan Vision
Among the first and the most influential colonial writers was John Winthrop, the
governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who delivered a sermon “A Model of
Christian Charity” in 1630. Puritan ideals are reflected in such metaphors as a ‘City
upon a Hill,’ meaning that Winthrop and his compatriots wanted to live in a community
that would produce positive changes for the rest of the population. This vision was and
remained very political, with the stress on the unity of the community founded on
religion and collective accountability.
Delivered during the voyage to New England on the Arbella, Winthrop’s sermon
laid a precedent for the creation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His vision painted a
picture of a society in which collective interest preceded individual interests, in a societal
model of theocratic communism. He argued that the colony must be successful and
maintain the moral high ground so it was important for the settlers to practice Christian
charity and unity which are essential in achieving order and God’s benediction.
To this extent, Winthrop’s writings exemplify the relationship between religion
and politics especially how political leaders drew authority and structures from the
religious beliefs of the people. The literal meaning of the ‘‘city upon a hill ’’, suggested
that the colony was already watched by the rest of the world and most importantly, God.
Such thinking also served to ensure that the settlers felt responsible for their actions
and those of the native population, encouraging a system of government under which
political choices were intertwined with religious imperatives.
His stress on communal welfare and moral sovereignty would impact later policy
and political theory in America. The concept of the superior interests of the community
over self-interests remained a voice throughout the period and shaped American
political and social liberalism. Winthrop’s concept of individual care and ethical conduct
provided a basis for the combination of religious and political goals and became the
foundation for the early political development of the American colonies.
Roger Williams and Religious Freedom
While John Winthrop believed in a theocratic society with the church being
dominant over the state, Roger Williams supported the division of power between the
church and the state and freedom of religion. Williams’ articles such as “The Bloudy
Tenent of Persecution” (1644) asserted that civil authorities had no right to intervene in
religious issues. Williams’ opinions were revolutionary, and he actively espoused
concepts that were alien to most Puritans and, in fact, the formation of what later
became known as the American democratic principle.
The work entitled “The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution” is considered to be one of
the most important in the development of the concept of religious freedom. According to
Williams, coercion concerning issues of religion was ethically wrong and
counterproductive since it fostered hypocrisy as well as social tensions. He claimed that
faith cannot be coerced and that people who have the right to worship should be
respected as they have free conscience. This was in a way a confrontation with the
arch-Puritan belief that a society of the united godly is the only option for societal
harmony and God’s blessing.
The religious freedoms William championed and the idea of the independence of
religion from the government were political concepts that supported concepts of
freedom and restricted powers of the government. He said that the function of the
government was to preserve the principles of peace and welfare of the society, not the
imposition of the beliefs of the church. It should be noted that this viewpoint formed the
basis for the development of other principles that are enshrined in the American
Constitution, for example, the First Amendment that guarantees the freedom of religion.
Published during the time of the emergence of the new political culture in the
United States, Williams’ works impacted the development of new political theories and
the American nation’s self-identification. His ideas were in tune with the Enlightenment
movement and were paraphrased in the writings of Thomas Jefferson and James
Madison. The cause for which Williams stood – religious tolerance, the non-interference
of religion in political matters, and the freedom of the subject – are now viewed as
foundational to the American political system.
The Enlightenment Influence
The Enlightenment, which is characterized by such concepts as reason, science,
and individual rights, influenced colonial literature and political beliefs. Some of the
writers who were influenced by the Enlightenment include Benjamin Franklin and
Thomas Paine who echoed liberty and democracy in most of their writings. Both, the
“Poor Richard’s Almanack” by Benjamin Franklin and his autobiography serve as
examples that literature was the primary medium where the aid of enlightenment was
popularised. Franklin’s annual publication, Franklin’s Almanac, appeared from 1732 to
1758 and contained useful advice, proverbs, and comments on such virtues as
diligence, temperance, and wise use of time. Hence this work reflected the spirit of
enlightenment which calls for reason and science, it urged the readers to take order in
their affairs be disciplined in their work, and never underemphasize the spirit of
education. From this autobiography, it is possible to focus on further enlightenment
ideas such as knowledge searching, self-improvement, and being a responsible citizen.
His story of a boy who grew up and made it into society as one of the important
personalities of society explained the possibilities of the Enlightenment.
One of the most influential works in the American Revolution was Thomas
Paine’s pamphlet, “Common Sense” published in 1776. Here Paine used the
enlightened principles of the Rights of man and the Right of democracy as his primary
call to reason. He questioned the right of Kings to rule and advocated against tyranny
saying that governments should only govern with the consent of the governed, a
passage that was a reflection of the Enlightenment project. “Common Sense” played a
great role in the creation of public opinion: it translated political ideas into a language
understandable for the masses and called for the beginning of revolution.
The impact of the Enlightenment was not only felt through these authors in
colonial literature. It infiltrated political tracts, newspapers, and letters, suggesting a new
civility based on reason, observation, and personal freedom. Thereby, it can be
considered that this intellectual movement created the necessary prerequisites for the
formation of the American political tradition, which served as the basis for the formation
of the ideology of the American Revolution and the formation of the United States of
America.
Literature as Political Commentary
Colonial literature often served as a medium for political commentary, with
authors using their works to critique contemporary political issues and advocate for
change.
Phillis Wheatley and the Question of Slavery
A woman named Phillis Wheatley was arguably the first African American woman
to ever write and have her book of poetry published; her poetry collection even touched
on the problem of enslavement. In poems like “On Being Brought from Africa to
America,” Wheatley reiterates a personal experience and the oppression of blacks in
America. Her work demands the readers to think about the humanity and the rights of
the slaves and pleads for freedom and equality in the language of Enlightenment.
At the beginning of “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” Wheatley starts
with the fact that she was kidnapped and brought against her will but immediately turns
it around as she was brought to Christianity. The final lines of the poem, “Remember,
Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, / May be refined, and join the angelic train,” deal
with the racism and discrimination of her time and call for equality for black people as
human beings created by God and possessing equal rights and freedoms.
It is for this reason that Wheatley’s poetry serves as an illustration of how literary
work was used by marginalized groups to address political concerns. Through her
moving and polished written expression of enlightenment principles of liberty, equality,
and human dignity, she contrasts her adversaries with the pro-slavery slaves’
dehumanization. In this way, Wheatley’s poetry can be seen as demanding the abolition
of slavery by appealing to both the moral and intellectual/virtue aspects that were
supposedly lacking in African Americans.
Her work was also useful to the abolitionist movement and assisted in preparing
the world for other anti-slavery emancipations of civil liberties. Wheatley choosing to be
a published poet in a society that did not believe that Black people were capable of
reasoning was the beginning of resistance. In her writings, she not only passed social
commentary on slavery, but she also signified the rationality of equal treatment and
freedom regardless of the color of one’s skin as intrinsically unfair.
Anne Bradstreet and Gender Politics
Anne Bradstreet is one of the first poets whose works were published in colonial
America, and she focused on gender and political concerns. In poems like “The
Prologue” and “To My Dear and Loving Husband,” Bradstreet presents the position of
women within the colonial American culture. Her writing gives both the authorities’
restriction of women and their power within the household.
In “The Prologue”, Bradstreet accepts the difficulties which a woman writer faces
in a man’s world. She asserts her ability to write and appeals for consideration based on
merit as opposed to physicality, which goes against the existing stereotypical
perceptions of women’s brains. Likewise in “To My Dear and Loving Husband,”
Bradstreet expresses the joys of a happy marriage, though at the same time, playfully
underlines her intellectual abilities, rejecting female stereotypes of the 17th century.
Bradstreet’s poetry shows the connection between the private and public and
explores how the written word can be used to meditate on and potentially push for
change in social conduct regarding women’s roles. Although she was confined by the
spirit of Puritanism, Bradstreet’s poems seem to challenge male domination, and at the
same time assert the ability of women to be wise and passionate. Thus, her writings
show how political ideas were negotiated and articulated across colonial literature.
Thus, Bradstreet somewhat liberated women’s roles, and her voice as the poet
contributed to the general topic of women's rights and opportunities.
The role of the press
Newspapers and pamphlets became significant parts of the political and literary
cultures of colonial America due to the availability of the printing press. The press
emerged as an important tool for the transmission of political messages and opinion-
making.
The Federalist Papers
The most influential work of political writing during the colonial period is probably
“The Federalist Papers,” which comprises a collection of eighty-five essays penned by
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the adoption of the
Constitution of the United States of America. These essays were published in
newspapers and were used to educate and justify the formation of a new government.
What can be observed from studying “The Federalist Papers” is that politics was
discussed and information was spread through the media. Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
using this pen name of Publius used their essays to discuss current matters of political
concern, more specifically giving a rationale for federalism and the outlined
constitutional structure. They demanded the presence of a highly centralized
government that would rectify the failings of the Articles of Confederation without
compromising the authority of the federal government over state governments.
The authors responded to the criticism regarding the possibility of tyranny in the
country with a centralized system of government and stressed the significance of
checks and balances, division of powers, and the citizens’ rights. Their arguments were
based on some of the tenets of the Enlightenment including the natural rights and the
notion of popular sovereignty.
The contributions of “The Federalist Papers” continue to be significant in the
development of American political philosophy. They were also very instrumental in
determining the sentiment of the people and influencing the fence-sitting delegates
during the debates on the different state ratifications. These essays remain valuable to
understanding the thoughts of the Framers of the Constitution and their relevance in the
contemporary debates on governance and constitutional law.
Pamphlets and Political Mobilization
Towards the end of the 17th century, because of the restriction of colonial
presses, pamphlets took the central role in political communication and organization.
Given that these works were short and expressed in a popular form, authors and writers
could write to the public, focusing on various issues of politico-social importance.
Thomas Paine wrote “Common Sense” in 1776 and his pamphlet became one of the
most important written at that time. Being well-written and exploiting simple language
that any colonist would understand, Paine’s works explained intricate political concepts
and claimed for America to separate from Britain. ‘Common Sense’ was published and
extended its influence throughout the nation, mobilizing people’s opinions to affect the
independence movement positively.
In addition to “Common Sense,” several other pamphlets related to different
political concerns of the time. Samuel Adams, John Dickinson, and Mercy Otis Warren
are a few of the writers who used pamphlets for writing, supporting colonial rights,
criticizing British policies, and propagating liberty and self-rule. These pamphlets
became means for establishing understandable complaints, expressing and presenting
political opinions, and calling for revolution.
Far from merely being persuasive devices, pamphlets also allowed for greater
inclusiveness and popular input in the construction of political discourse. They fostered
discussion and enabled a plurality of opinions to be voiced, thus enhancing the political
debates of yesteryears. Many pamphleteers used pseudonyms to remain anonymous,
and this proves the extent to which they were willing to go in support of their political
agendas given the escalating conditions in the colonies.
In addition, the use of pamphlets was of great importance during the ratification
debates of the U.S. Constitution. Both the federalists who supported the Constitution
and the anti-federalists who opposed it wrote and distributed pamphlets so that the
people would vote their way and win the state conventions.
Conclusion
The relationship between politics and literature during the colonial period shows
how deep the influence of writing was in the formation of politics and in enhancing
change. In their writings, colonial authors turn to politics to discuss topics as timely as
religion, the movement towards independence, and the formation of the new
government. Their works must be recognized as significant sources to study colonial
American political culture and to reconstruct the roles that literature played in the
societies which regulated political practices, and also initiated and promoted literary
activities aimed at influencing the political processes.
Reading texts by John Winthrop, Roger Williams, and Thomas Paine, one is
going to learn about the development of the political tradition within the United States of
America. John Winthrop’s “city upon a hill metaphor was a Puritan dream of a holy
community, whereas Roger Williams opposed the orthodoxies of his fellow Puritans in
particular, advocating for religious toleration and the establishment of a line between
church and state. ”Common Sense” by Thomas Paine enlightened the people of
America and paved the way for independence emphasizing principles based on natural
rights and democracy.
Using their literary skills, these authors engaged with complicated political
realities to question the prevailing systems, call for change, and even chart the historical
development of America. Their writings not only recorded the historical pain and
achievement of the epoch but also helped to build the luminous political values that
have left their imprint on today’s civilized world, including the freedom of the individual
and the government by the people. Thus, analyzing colonial literature allows us to better
understand the constitutive axiological premises of the American political self. The
effects of such writings remain to the present day, and these are relevant in the
current/present societies in providing timeless contemplations on politics and lives.
These works serve as a constant reminder of the capability of ideas encapsulated in
literature to transform individuals and even entire countries. The literature of the colonial
period shows us that it remains relevant today, shaping the politics of the United States
and the world through engagement with words that seek out liberty, justice, and
democratic representation.
