Effectiveness of the Tory and Whig Arguments Prior to the American Revolution
In the eighteenth century, the American Revolution played a vital role
in determining the future of the American colonies. Prior to the
Revolution, propagandas from both the Tories and Whigs influenced the
choices that Americans make. Both sides exchanged attacks and
accusations in their publications, while also presenting realistic
evidence and logical reasoning to back their doctrine and arguments.
Two of the many documents preceding the Revolution are especially
interesting in terms of their structure of presentation. Letters of a
Westchester Farmer, composed by Reverend Samuel Seabury, offers
arguments favouring the Tories’ view and questions the effects the
Revolution will have on Americans. In response, Common Sense, written
by Thomas Paine, presents the Whigs’ view of the Revolution and
provides strong valid reasons to answer most of the charges made by
the Tories. Both Letters of a Westchester Farmer and Common Sense
share similarities and differences in their structure and evidence
that affect the degree of their effectiveness.
The structures of Letters of a Westchester Farmer and Common Sense
play a critical role in effectiveness. In Letters of a Westchester
Farmer, the author first describes the current situation of the
Americans. It says, “The American Colonies are unhappily involved in
a scene of confusion and discord. The bands of civil society are
broken; the authority of government weakened…”[1] Samuel Seabury then
addresses the depressing signs of the upcoming revolution, and
gradually gives reasons for his charge. For instance...
... middle of paper ...
...f a live debate between the
two sides, with the Whigs winning on each issue. On the other hand,
the Letters of a Westchester Farmer completely expressed the Tories’
view, and made the Whigs and the Congress look evil, which was
effective to those who was not sure which side to take on. Despite
the differences in the degree of effectiveness that both documents
have, they both are well-structured and planned documents that
succeeded in persuading Americans to take sides with Whigs or
Tories.
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[1] Samuel Seabury, “Letters of a Westchester Farmer”, (1774-1775), p.26.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Thomas Paine, “Common Sense”, p.38.
[4] Samuel Seabury, “Letters of a Westchester Farmer”, (1774-1775), pg.28.
[5] Thomas Paine, loc. cit., p.39.
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The eighteenth century, a time of turmoil and chaos in the colonies, brought many opinionated writers to the forefront in support or refutation of the coming American Revolution. This highly controversial war that would ultimately separate the future United States of America from Great Britain became the center of debate. Two writers, both of whom supported the Revolution, now stand to fully illuminate one side of the debate. Thomas Paine, a radical propagandist, wrote many pieces during this time including “The Crisis Number 1” (1776). Through writing, he appealed to the “common man” in order to convince them to gather their arms and fight for their freedom. In this document, he utilizes many of the same rhetorical skills and propaganda techniques as Patrick Henry, a convincing orator, did in his famous speech delivered to the state’s delegates in 1775. Among these techniques are transfer, abstract language, and pathos. In both works, these were used to call the audiences to war. These influential pieces both contained a call to action which, through the use of strong and decisive language, aided the beginning of the American Revolution.
When I was asked to read the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson and Common Sense by Thomas Paine I was kind of scared. As I started to read it, I found it to be truly interesting. Reading over them several times to make sure I was understanding the text and the meaning of them both. Through, out this paper I will share many compares and contrast over the Declaration of Independence and the Common Sense pamphlet. There are many reasons why these two documents had a great effect on the revolutionary American. As you will see in this paper I will point out many ways that these documents are still in effect today. In the end you will understand how the United States
April 19th, 1775 the American Revolution was triggered by many of reasons, two of them would be the Boston Tea Party and Taxation. A group of Boston Patriates dressed as Native Americans pitched over three hundred trunks of cargo that was placed on the British tea ships, into the depths of Pearl Harbor. The reasoning behind the sneaky disagreement was the British government for the Tea Tax. The colonists were irritated because they were getting taxed by a distant government to pay for the debt from the French and Indian war that occurred in 1756 to 1763. Some of the Tax Acts such as, Townshend Act and Stamp Act were imposed and repealed.
When declaring independence, the bulk of the people thought that would be “…to burn the last bridge, to become traders in the eyes of the mother country.” (Garraty 110). John Dickinson had stated, “ ‘Torn from the body to which we are united by religion, liberty, laws, affections, relation, language and commerce, we must bleed at every vein.’ “ (Garraty 110). The people were afraid to break away, they pondered “ ‘Where shall we find another Britain.’ “ (Garraty 110). Eventually independence was inevitable. There was a great mistrust towards both Parliament and George III when the colonists heard that the British were sending hired Hessian soldiers to fight against them in the revolution. The pamphlet written by Thomas Paine entitled Common Sense called boldly for complete independence. This reflected his opinions on George III, calling him a brute, and also attacking the idea of monarchy itself. “Virtually everyone in the colonies must have read Common Sense or heard it explained and discussed.” (Garraty 110). John Adams dismissed it as something he had said time and time again. “The tone of the debate changed sharply as Paine’s slashing attack took effect.” (Garraty 110). A committee was appointed by Congress, consisting of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and many more. “The committee had asked Jefferson to prepare a draft” that would soon become known as the Declaration of Independence. (Garraty 112). It consisted of two parts: an introduction which justified the abstract right of any people to revolt and described the theory on which the Americans based their creation of a new, republican government, and a second part that made George III, rather than Parliament, look like the ‘bad guy’. “…The king was the personification of the nation against which the nation was rebelling.” (Garraty 112). “The Declaration was intended to influence foreign opinion, but it had little immediate effect outside Great Britain, and there it only made people angry and determined to subdue the rebels.
Despite its hardship, killing, and divisions between the colonist, The American Revolution is best known as the turning point of the colonies. Such an event that would change the world, but that is better said than done. Once the word came out about independence and fighting back the redcoats some coloinst were not up for it, these were called Loyalist. Those who were up to fight back were known as Patriots. The Loyalist and Patriots both have reasons why they think they are right in their principle.
What was the common good for all Americans in 1776? Thomas Paine, a political activist during America’s struggle for independence from England, argues in Common Sense, a pamphlet published in the Pennsylvania Magazine, with the American colonists, demanding a revolt with the British crown (Thomas Paine). He passionately believes that the answer to the “…benefit of all people in [American] society” (Thomas Paine) will result from the freedom of oppression for the thirteen American colonies. Common Sense, “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”, remains noted by historians as one of the most influential pieces of literature during the era of the American Revolution
Thomas Paine constructs Common Sense as an editorial on the subject of the relationship between the Colonies and Great Britain. Through the paper, he hopes to educate his fellow Americans about this subject. In his introduction, he says he feels that there is 'a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong'; which 'gives it a superficial appearance of being right'; (693). He is alluding to the relationship, also calling it a 'violent abuse of power'; (693). This choice of words is similar to those of Jefferson, who asserts that the king had established an 'absolute tyranny'; over the states. Both men set an immediate understanding about their feelings towards the rule of Great Britain over the States. However, where Common Sense seems to be an opinionated essay, Thomas Jefferson writes somewhat of a call to battle. Paine generally seems to be alerting his readers to the fact that there is more going on than they are aware of. Jefferson, on the other hand, begins his declaration by stating, 'When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another'; (715). Unlike Paine, this seems to presuppose that readers are aware of the plight of the nation, and Jefferson is announcing that the time has come to take a stand.
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The American Revolution caused a drastic amount of change. While this big thing was going on there were many people that had been included. The British and the 13 colonies went to war against each other so that 13 colonies could try and win over their freedom. Abigail Adams sent a letter to her husband to try and convince the writers to include women's equal rights. There were many hopes that people had while the American Revolution was present in the 1770’s to the early 1780’s. How much change did the American Revolution cause? The American Revolution radically changed three areas of life; social, political, and economics.