The Foundational Period of American Literature was a period in time where European explorers and Native Americans encountered each other for the first time. The Foundational Period was considered to be any time before the 1900s. This period of time was widely accepted throughout history. Encounter & Foundations: Five Hundred years ago Europeans and Native Americans encountered each other for the first time. In 1620, the Puritans landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Really emphasizing self-reliance and attentiveness, the Puritans established a new society. When the philosophy of rationalism spread from Europe to America, the belief in the power of reason combined with an American rationalism was the mind-set that led the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. During the Foundational Period William Bradford writes, “Of Plymouth Plantation.” Anne Bradstreet “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America,” is published in England. Jonathan Edwards publishes “The Selling of Joseph,” a tract against slavery. The Virginia Convention in 1775. “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God” was delivered by Jonathan Edwards. All of these events happened during the Foundational Period. All of these events are really important which shows why the Foundational Period was really important and widely accepted throughout history.
Cross 
American Literature 