Enlightenment Generation

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U.S. Generations
* = dates disputed, ^ = Strauss and Howe
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Term Period
^Puritan Generation
 1588–1617
Puritan Awakening 1621–1649
^Cavalier Generation
^Glorious Generation
^Enlightenment Generation
^Awakening Generation		 1618-1648
1648-1673
1674-1700
1701–1723
First Great Awakening 1727–1746
^Liberty Generation
^Republican Generation
^Compromise Generation		 1724–1741
1742–1766
1767–1791
Second Great Awakening 1790–1844
Transcendentalist Generation
^Transcendental Generation
^Gilded Generation
^Progressive Generation		 1789–1819
1792–1821
1822–1842
1843–1859
Third Great Awakening 1886–1908
^Missionary Generation
Lost Generation
Interbellum Generation
G.I. Generation
Greatest Generation		 1860–1882
1883–1900
1900–1910
1900–1924
1911–1924
Jazz Age 1918-1929
^Silent Generation
Beat Generation
Baby Boomers
Generation Jones		 1925–1942
fl. 1950s-1960s
*1940s-1960s
1954–1965
Consciousness Revolution 1964–1984
Generation X
^13th Generation
MTV Generation
Boomerang Generation		 *1960s–1980s
1961-1981
1974–1985
1977–1986
Culture Wars 1980s–present
Generation Y
^Millennial Generation
Echo Boom Generation
Internet Generation
^New Silent Generation		 *1970s–1990s
1982-2000
*1982–1995
*1994–2001
*1990s or 2000s-?

According to Strauss and Howe in Generations (book), the Enlightenment Generation, born during the latter quarter of the seventeenth century (1674-1700), was the last generation in the American colonies to have not known the United States of America as a political entity. Born during the chaotic times of the late seventeenth century, it grew up over-protected as the Glorious Revolution raged. Born to late-wave Cavaliers and early-wave Glorious, it was too young to achieve anything during the momentous events of the time; it was too old to participate fully in the religious ferment of the Great Awakening. By the time of the American Revolution and the Constitutional crisis its elderly survivors were too old to participate in the major events; nobody from this generation signed the Declaration of Independence, let alone participated in the Constitutional Convention. This generation lived in the shadows of more powerful members of the Glorious Generation in its childhood and in middle-age and later the more resolute and often fanatical Awakeners. It is well-defined as an Adaptive generation.

It was a civilized and polished generation, the one whose image is closely linked to colonial Williamsburg, Virginia at its most attractive time, and the last to consider itself more British than American. But it was the weakest generation in American politics even by the standards of the time or later, especially in contrast to its Glorious predecssors and Awakener followers. It has few memorable leaders, in contrast to later and earlier generations. It was in charge during the French and Indian War, a great slaughter of the Liberty Generation, many of that generation their own sons.

This generation has been ancestral since the beginning of the 19th century.

Typical grandparents: early-wave Cavaliers Typical parents: late-wave Cavaliers, early-wave Glorious Typical children: Awakening and Liberty Typical grandchildren: Republicans

[edit] Foreign Peers

Preceded by
Glorious Generation
1648 – 1673		 Enlightenment Generation
1674 – 1700		 Succeeded by
Awakening Generation
1701 – 1723
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