Literature Of The American Revolution

Literature of the American Revolution The American Revolution was a time of political turmoil and social expansion. The colonists were continually being taxed by British Parliament and patriots protested and rebelled until it became war. The colonists did not necessarily want independence, but wanted freedom from Parliament while still being loyal to the king. Not much could have prevented the American Revolutionary war from happening. Everything that occurred up to that “shot heard around the world” was just fuel to the patriot fire. Men like Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison all wrote selections about the revolution and how it affected the colonies politically, socially, and personally. Many Americans were responsive to the idea of being separated from Great Britain because they felt they were being taken advantage of. Parliament only governed the colonies to gain in their country and that caused a depression in America. Great Britain was posing taxes and acts that allowed them to have control over the colonies and even on what side of the country Americans resided (Proclamation of

Paine argues for American’s freedom and the general sense of the government, and then specifies the colonies’ situation. This became a very popular piece to read because colonists could relate to it so well. Paine said everything that the colonist’s couldn’t say and made it very clear what they wanted from Britain. “Common Sense” benefitted the Revolution by stating that America needed to declare independence so that they may gain respect internationally and receive help from foreign countries in their struggle for freedom. Paine gives idea as to how colonists can earn money to pay for the debt that the colonies will experience. Paine also stated that America has progressed and no longer needs Britain’s help; the colonies have little to gain under British