Throughout world history, it can be observed that the common people are often compelled to “bend the knee” to the elite in the name of social adherence, progress, or pure totalitarianism. This concept of social submission, also known as deference, is a key theme integrated into Alfred Young’s biography of George Hewes, The Shoemaker and the Tea Party. A common shoemaker, Hewes’ extraordinary tale of gallantry provides vital insights into the ideology of the common man during the events surrounding the American Revolution. In The Shoemaker and the Tea Party, George Hewes transitions from a proper colonist to a patriotic activist by abandoning deference in the context of his interactions with British regulars, Tea Party revolutionaries, and John Hancock. The presence of British soldiers in Boston was of a particular disturbance to Hewes, who found it especially irritating to be stopped by sentries after curfew. British occupation represented absolute authority and a call for submission of the will. His distaste for His Majesty’s men grew after he was personally cheated by a British Sergeant who was supposedly ordering shoes for his Captain but never appeared to pay for them. Later, he witnessed an incident where a soldier sneaked up behind a woman, mugged her, and stole her outer garments. (36) Hewes’ continual revulsion for …show more content…
While the actions of patriots such as Hewes are often romanticized, is it plausible to question if insurrection is moral and can be applied personally? Hewes, however, gives the reader the ability to view the American Revolution as a commoner, and states through his actions that while mutual respect and honor are concepts to be upheld in pursuit of the Christian life, they may be rationalized in his challenge to deny deference in pursuit of grater
In Alfred F. Young’s book, The Shoemaker and the Tea Party, George Robert Twelves Hewes remembers how the Revolutionary War was about equality and recognition. Hewes remembers the Revolutionary war as being about equality when he remembers a moment when he met John Hancock. Hewes was one of the lower class, he was extremely poor as a shoemaker. Whereas, Hancock was one of the elitest in the country. Hancock sat down with Hewes as a young boy and thanked him with a coin.
Nehemiah Wright Ms. Guidorizzi Junior English Per. 6 21 September 2016 Virginian Persuasion Patrick Henry, a revolutionary who could persuade a charging rhinoceros to change directions became one of the most important founding fathers during the early stages of the Revolutionary War. While the thirteen colonies were on edge trying to decide whether or not a permanent militia was to be put in place. Mr. Henry came to the forefront and, using words alone, swayed enough of the congressmen’s opinions to have that militia put in place.
In “A Revolutionary People at War”, Charles Royster has developed a complex and in-depth thesis regarding the American Revolution. The book dives into the minds of the American people as it conveys the American character displayed throughout the Revolution. His book is multi-faceted, focusing on a number of themes that are beautifully intertwined. He discusses the prevailing American character during the American Revolution. The book studies the ideals of the American people during the revolution and how those ideals impacted the way the Continental Army was organized and how the Revolution was fought.
In his commentary, Crisis No. 1, Thomas Paine argues that the colonists shall continue fighting for their freedom from the British. Paine supports this argument by describing the issues that the colonists have with the British. Paine’s purpose is to persuade in order to encourage the soldiers to keep fighting. The use of a formal tone with his audience, shows the significance of the situation. To help him urge the soldiers to keep fighting, he appeals to the soldier’s pathos, or the characteristic that affects emotions, he uses strong rhetorical techniques and figurative language.
Through Young’s article on a poor Cordwainer living through the formative years of the American Revolution, we gain a unique glimpse into the extraordinary times that shaped both one man’s experiences and the historical narrative of a nation for generations to come. Young uses both primary and secondary sources to present a coherent picture of the events that transpired as they relate to one person and a nation at large. He draws heavily from two biographies written during Hewes’ time. One written by James Hawkes in 1834 and the other by Benjamin Bussey Thatcher in 1835. Both of these biographies are based on direct interviews of Hewes himself.
He urged his fellow Americans to rebel against the British crown and fight for their independence. In his speech, he preached, “I consider it nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery”, (Henry, 1). He uses “it” to refer to the colonists’ need to fight. Henry indicates that Britain gives the colonies false hope which causes dehumanization of the colonists causing a range of emotions extending from rage and displeasure to fears. The third paragraph of Henry’s speech provides evidence for why his argument is noteworthy.
Introduction: Thomas Paine was an English American writer of essays and pamphlets in the 18th century. He was born in England and moved to the American colonies in 1774 after Benjamin Franklin encouraged him to. His most notable work was called “Common Sense” which was printed in January of 1776, a fifty-page pamphlet that inspired the colonies to fight for their independence. Prior to its publication, the colonies had been in revolt for a few months against England, namely in the battle of Lexington & at Concord. There was a big discussion in the colonies on whether they should go for full independence against England or go for an improved representation within their political system at the time.
The chapters of our textbook, America: A Narrative History, written by George Brown Tindall and David Emory Shi, takes us on a historical yet comparative journey of the road to war and what caused the American Revolution, an insight into the war itself, and a perception to what life was like in America after the war was over. The essays of the book, America Compared: American History in International Perspective, collected by Carl J. Guarneri gives us a global context and a comparison between the North and South Americas in the dividing issues of labor, slavery, taxes, politics, economy, liberty, and equality. Part One These chapters in our textbook Tindall describes; the road to the American Revolution, the road to the surrendering of the British, and the road to the American colonists receiving their independence and developing the government which the people of the United States will be governed by. The road to the American Revolution consisted of several events, which escalated to the war that began April 19, 1775, as the tensions between the American colonies and the British Government advanced towards breaking point.
“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind” (Paine 1). With the Revolutionary War beginning in 1775, and the publication of Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, only a year later, this statement was widely recognized and addressed the issue at hand: the fight for independence. According to Paine’s assertion, America’s desire for peace and freedom is a basic necessity of life; it is what all men desire. Despite this innate thirst for liberty, many residents of America’s thirteen colonies were fearful of Great Britain, and because of this fear, complied with Great Britain’s every whim. Consequently, most colonists were hesitant to fight against the mother country for independence.
On the guided tour of the Freedom Trail, specifically the Allegiance to Revolution tour, the retelling of the American Revolution concentrating on the white, upper class male allows for a dramatization and limited perspective of American history. The tour, which traveled from Faneuil Hall, to Paul Revere’s home, and finally the Old North Church, focused on the events between 1774 and 1775 that led the New Englanders to switch from trying to remain loyal to Great Britain and wanting a revolution for freedom. Instead of providing a complete portrayal of the New England people and their involvement in the events leading up to the American Revolution, the tour guide mentioned only men, specifically highlighting those in high social classes and
The term “Revolutionary” is an instantaneous change or shift that promotes equal rights, liberty, and freedom. So, while some may argue that the revolution was a turning point for America, The American revolution in this case is not revolutionary since slavery was still present, minority groups did not gain rights, and British ideals and tactics were still being used in the new government. One of the crucial pieces of evidence that this “revolution” could not be considered revolutionary is because of the slavery still taking place even after the war ended. Throughout the revolt against British rule in the 16th century, the American people fought under the banner of truth, justice, and liberty for all people, However, the only people that indeed
Under the control of the British Parliament in 1775, the American colonies consider going to war in order to gain independence from Britain. In “Patrick Henry’s Speech in the Virginia Convention,” Henry addresses the need for American colonists to work together to stop the British from controlling them. Thus, Henry’s periodic sentence, rhetorical questions, antithesis, and anaphora successfully convince the American colonists to unite against the British and to bring awareness to their wrongdoings. Firstly, Henry applies periodic sentences and rhetorical questions to convey the idea that the American Colonists must fight back against the British by working together if they want to gain freedom. Henry believes that “if [they] wish to
Thomas paine’s Common Sense was one of the most influential documents to the American Revolution. This essay also tries to argue that without Paine’s Common Sense the
The American Revolution was said to have been almost lost on multiple occasions, however, because of the American’s courage, strength and perseverance they were able to defeat the British and earn their independence. Winning a war isn’t an easy task especially against the greatest army in the world at the time, but because of the unity of the American people or the colonists at the time, because of their courage, strength and perseverance they benefited from it and because of these factors they were able to win the war and claim what they so strongly believed they had the right to. Courageous people have been displayed throughout all of history, and especially in fictional tales and stories told by people. However, this is no tale,
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).