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How Does Thomas Paine Use Of Military Propaganda

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The end of 1776 found the American people in a crisis. War was raging between Britain under General Howe, and America under General Washington. Howe had already won several battles and was heading for another victory at Trenton. Members of Congress fled from Philadelphia and reestablished themselves in York. The citizens of America were fearful, confused, and everything seemed to be in chaos. “These are the times that try men’s souls” (331), during which Paine’s purpose was “to enable this distraught people (and all patriots) to stand, to persevere, to have fortitude, and to fight” (Gallagher 87). Techniques of propaganda in Thomas Paine's The Crisis, No. 1 influence soldiers and civilians alike, to support the War for Independence. Propaganda …show more content…

Glittering generalities “associate [sic] persons, practices, beliefs, customs, or causes with ‘virtue words’” (Horton 144). The term Whig refers to someone who supports the revolution. Such words and phrases as “nobly” (335), “smile in trouble” (335), “brave” (335), “perseverance” (336), and “fortitude” (336), exemplify the righteous character of the Whigs. Whereas words like “blessing” (335), “triumph” (331), and “freedom” (331) exemplify favorable repercussions of their actions. Glittering generalities have the same effect as name calling in that they influence the reader to assume that the statement is true without thinking about it. Transferring the authority of God to the cause of the revolution makes the war the obvious right choice. If God cannot be on the side of the King, then surely He is on the side of a people “who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war” (332). Only God has the absolute power to enslave man and so the King is usurping this power as he declares his right over the colonies. By proving that God is for this cause, Paine is able to bolster support for the war for …show more content…

Paine served in the army as aide-de-camp to General Nathaniel Green, at Fort Lee on the Hudson River, and participated in the retreat across New Jersey led by Washington (Andrews 8). He knew what the soldiers were going through as they battled not only the enemy, but also hunger, fatigue, and the coldness of winter. “Let it be told to the future world” Paine encourages, “that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it” (335). The hope of a glorious future pushes soldiers to keep driving

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During the winter 1776, Thomas Paine, a well known writer accompanies General Washingtons troops along the retreat from the dominating British forces. He inspires the troops with his speech, The Crisis, by using rhetroical strategies, and empowering tone, and religous inferences. Paines repetitive referance to God, gains the emotiond of the troops by enhancing their relieability towards their faiths. His speech mentions that power can not be invested to man, but only God has authourity over such entitlements. This develops pathos by having spiritual ingluences and makes Wahingtons troops feel condemned to fight for the cause.

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During the middle eighteenth century, the tension between the United States of America and Great Britain was at it's peak. Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry, two important men during this time, both believed that war between these two countries was inevitable, thus trying to persuade others in America to participate in claiming their freedom and liberty by partaking in the war. Although both men had similar points in their speeches, Henry's tone and style had a more effective way of persuading the audience than Paine did. Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry are exemplary studies of Divine Providence as the giver of freedom is an important concept for every American to understand. When Thomas Paine tries to persuade his audience, he makes it seem as though America is somewhat being forced into getting into a war with Britain.

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In Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, The American Crisis, he wrote “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered, yet we have the consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” The American Crisis was written to motivate the soldiers and remind them of why they are fighting. It gave incentive to the soldiers to continue fighting. The American Crisis was significant because it helped the soldiers overcome the weariness and lonesome that comes with fighting. To sum up, the war the soldiers were fighting is for their own liberty, which is enough incentive to

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine Mikayel Grigoryan History 11 Alicia Rodriquez-Estrada Thomas Paine was an unknown British writer. In 1774 Thomas pain arrived Philadelphia. When he arrived Philadelphia, the tension was high between colonists and British there. He saw wars and discrimination. In Paine’s view there were no motive for the colonies to stay dependent on England.

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Thomas Paine once stated, “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” During the late 1700’s the colonists were struggling with liberty from the British. They desired freedom, but feared failure. It was difficult since the colonists did not have a strong and experienced army like the British. Colonists had little motivation so that is when Paine felt the need to take action.

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The people read these in hopes of victory. Many know about Thomas Paine; how he wrote inclusive pamphlets, how he united

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According to Paine, “Even though people of the colonies were paying taxes and were pushed into wars caused by British, they were unfairly not represented in the British Parliament”. (109) Since Paine’s main goal is to target the common man of the society; he directs his argument by using the Bible and emotions to back up his own discussion. Paine indicates that all people are born equally and there is no one given the power to rule over other human beings. Then he uses Bible quotes to explicitly disagree with the presence of Monarchy rule used by the Great Britain.

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Thomas Paine was one of the best known political philosopher and pamphleteer back during the 18th century. “Common Sense” was the first published pamphlet that proclaimed the independence of America and one of his most famous piece of work. How did Thomas Paine influence the declaration of independence by writing “Common Sense”? “Common Sense” convinced a great amount of moderates to become patriots, additionally, some loyalist were persuaded by his writing. Also, he was able to express his feelings and wrote in a way that people commonly spoke.

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Thomas Paine’s The Crisis does an excellent job of exemplifying the usage of the colonist’s feelings prominently in the content. One of Paine’s purposes in writing such a pamphlet is to convince the colonial Americans that they must not be cowardly by supporting British rule. Throughout his pamphlet, this ideal is displayed in an extremely pronounced manner, with a considerable example in the first paragraph: “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will… shrink from the service of this country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of every man and woman.” (Paine 331).

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Paine used logos in the most effective way to urge more people of the congregation to join the revolution. By laying out battle plans, consequences and rewards he relaxed a worried people's fears for battle; and by reflecting on past successes of a miniscule army, he insights hope in the apparent underdog. “After reading Paine’s work they had a better understanding of the desire that had gripped so many of their fellow colonists. The thoughts of loyalists changed due to Paine’s writings.” (DeStefano,

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Common Sense was an important stepping stone towards independence. Thomas Paine was a person who advocated and supported egalitarian principles. He believed that all people are equal and deserved equal rights and opportunities. Thomas goal was to influence to people in the Thirteen Colonies to stand for independence from Great Britain. The thirteen colonies were a group of British colonies on the east coast of North America.

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Before this many Colonists did not know of the harsh injustices done by the British. They also did not believe that the cause for revolution was urgent. Thomas Paine showed them that the cause was urgent by explaining the wrongs the British had committed and why King George was a tyrant. He also showed them that America did not need the British Empire 's protection. This quote shows his reasoning “Small islands, not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.”

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He starts by analyzing the past, saying that if any mistakes were made, they “have none to blame but ourselves” (IN TEXT). However, he counters this with the idea that they cannot change the past, but embrace its effects and move on. Next, he appeals to the logic of his Puritan beliefs. Paine says that he believes that “God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction” (IN TEXT). This gives the reader a sturdy base to place their hope, which he later increases by calling the king out for his murderous and unethical actions, and claims that the king has no grounds to seek support or solace from

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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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It was extremely important for Paine to persuade the colonist to continue the war for American independence. He used pathos by using a parent’s love for their children against them to convince the army to continue on with the war. By way of example, when Paine is talking about a tori and patriotic father “finished with this unfatherly expression ‘Well! Give me peace in my day…’ and a generous parent should have said ‘If there must be trouble let it be in my day; that my child may have peace’ and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient enough to awaken every man to duty” (Paine 109).

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