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Rhetorical Analysis Of Alfred M. Green's 'In Philadelphia PA'

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In April 1861, In Philadelphia PA, Alfred M. Green delivered one of the most influential speeches in American history. During this time African Americans were not allowed to join the union army in the civil war. Green believed that it was their duty to fight alongside the Union to help free the slaves. To convince freed African Americans to fight for the North, Green effectively uses emotional appeal to persuade the audience. In the first couple of paragraphs, the author connects with the audience in multiple ways to gain their trust and influence them to listen. Because of the circumstances, Green knew that the men would not just listen to anyone so he spent lots of time connecting with them. One way he does this is shown in lines 9-14 where …show more content…

The author demonstrates this in lines 18-22 where he says, “The result of the most unfair rules of judicial investigation has been the pay we have received for our solicitude, sympathy, and aid in the dangers and difficulties of those days that tried men's souls '. Green’s statement is very true, the African Americans did all they could to help in the revolutionary war and other wars, but they are still treated like animals and do not get the respect they deserve. He is showing that he understands why most people are not wanting to fight for the North but is about to show why he believes they need to …show more content…

At this point, it is right after many African Americans were freed, and the aftershock was still hitting them. Because of this, the black community was a tight-knit community unlike anything seen before. They felt connected by their hardships which is why Green thought it would be best to use emotional appeal. One way this is demonstrated is in lines 30-33 where Green states “Let us endeavor to hope for the future and improve the present auspicious moment for creating anew our claims upon the justice and honor of the republic”. This message expresses that these men need to hope for a better future, and realistically the only way they are going to get a better future is if the North wins the

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