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How Did James Otis Motivates Americans To Fight For Their Freedom?

666 Words3 Pages

Adaisha Hamilton
Prof. Rosalski
History of US 111
6/20/16
GRQ #2
Before the beginning of the American Revolution, there were many political activists that wanted to communicate with the rest of the colonists on their views of British involvement with the colonies. The perspectives from political leaders like were recognized through their published papers, such as James Otis who argued about equal representation as British subjects, followed by Paine’s strong remarks against the separation between the colonies and Britain which resulted in the motivation for the unification of the colonies to begin fighting for their freedom.
James Otis was a prominent political leader in Massachusetts. He was an advocate for equal rights among the colonies …show more content…

He expressed his passion for independence through his published papers, “The American Crisis” in a motivating and persuasing tone that inspires Americans to fight for their freedom. For example, Paine says, “tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered, yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” (Paine 406). He uses strong, provoking words like comparing Britain to hell in order to anger colonists about Britain’s control over the colonies. He ultimately wants to unify the colonies to fight against them even though the fight might seem difficult because of the unlimited power that Britain has over them and many defeats that they have experienced. Paine also expresses his hatred towards the Tories by stating “ every Tory is a coward; for servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism [...] your conduct is an invitation to the enemy (Paine 407). His intimidating remarks against Tories reveal his belief of non-supporters of American independence being cowards because of their loyalty to Great Britain. Overall, Paine’s powerful words are very revolutionary because of his motivating statements supporting the separation from

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He truly believes that Great Britain will have an extremely difficult time controlling the colonies for any long period of time. Specifically, Paine states that “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered”. He uses plenty of figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, to make his speech as thought provoking as possible. Although, Paine obviously tries to make the speech as understandable as possible so any common man or woman can interpret

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Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all Lovers of Mankind are affected, and in the Event of which, their Affections are interested (Paine, 1776)”. Thomas Paine disagrees with the British government and the way they handling business he encouraged Americas to declare their independence. The Declaration of independence was a documented created by Thomas Jefferson that announced the split from the colonies and Great Britain, it. The Declaration of Independence states “we hold these…all men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights...that when any form of government becomes destructive... It is the right of the people to alter or abolish it (Jefferson, 1776)”.

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He gives the appeal that we must not be afraid and in the end we will have great triumph. Paine also uses imagery relate the devil with the current king of Britain. “The king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a housebreaker, has as good a pretense as he…” He is painting a picture in the soldiers’ minds of how cruel the king has been to the colonies and should give them even more spirit to go and

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