1700 to 1799: On Conciliation with the American Colonies to Common Sense

Chronology of World, British and American Literature.

Edmund Burke. British. 1775. Speech. On Conciliation with the American Colonies. Wanted to grant the colonies autonomy. Won only 58 votes.

John Trumbull. American. 1775/82. Poetry/Satire. M’Fingal. Modeled on Samuel Butler’s Hudibras; ridicules extremism on both sides of the Revolution.

Adam Smith. British. 1776. Nonfiction. The Wealth of Nations. Outlines a system of laissez-faire economics based on absolutely free economy.

Thomas Jefferson. American. 1776. Nonfiction. Declaration of Independence. Public act by which the Second Continental Congress declared the 13 North American colonies free and independent of England.

Thomas Paine. American. 1776. Nonfiction. Common Sense. Urges the immediate separation from England. Influential in bringing about the Declaration of Independence.