Valley Forge Document Based Question
After a detailed analysis of the documents, it is very clear that if I was a soldier in the continental army I would stay in the army for the following important reasons: first, the urgent need of healthy and strong soldiers to fight against the British (Document A and Document C), second, the visit of the Congressional committee and hope for support (Document B and External Source 1) and finally, the last reason I would stay in the army because of Paine’s great words and I wouldn’t want to be a summer soldier (Document D and External Source 2).
During the American Revolution, it is very important to notice that in the town of Valley Forge the illness and death estimates increased. This resulted in a rapid decrease of the total amount of soldier in the town. According to the statistics in Document A, it is very clear that the total number of soldier enrolled in the Valley Forge camp decreased in a period of approximately three months. To be accurate around 1800 – 2000 soldiers died around this time period. So as the population decreased, American army needs more healthy soldiers to
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Paine says, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” I think that Paine is trying to imply that people to get in to tough conditions like Valley Forge. Paine says that getting into tough situations like Valley Forge is the best way to test my basic beliefs and character. Also, as seen External Source 2 Paine exactly defines what a summer soldier. He say’s Summer Soldier is a person that only supports the American army when things are going well. Paine’s words might increase the army’s population and inspire many men to actually work in the army. When the Continental army finds their way through the “crisis” they would have successfully tested their beliefs and
According to Estimates of Illness and Deaths at Valley Forge (Doc. A), there was about 4,000 illnesses in February 1778. The illnesses mainly came from diseases. There was also 2,500 deaths due to disease. In the painting of George Washington presenting to Continental Congress (Doc. B), the soldiers were wearing no shoes. Since they were low on supplies, they had to step on the cold ground giving
In Document A, there was about 3,000 people sick throughout the encampment and 1,800 - 2,500 people dead. At first, there was about 12,000 people at the beginning of Valley Forge, 49% of those people were sick and half of those people ended up dead. An engraving of a painting by William Powell is one of Valley Forge. (document B) In the engraving, it looks as if no one is really
If I was a soldier at Valley Forge, I would quit. In “Estimates of Illness and Deaths at Valley Forge” it showed the estimated deaths and illnesses reported in Valley Forge. (Document A) According to document A, in February about 50% of the soldiers got sick. Also, about 1800 to 2500 soldiers died.
It says in document A that 50% of men were getting sick. With that being said, I need to stay and help them get better because the need to be able to fight in the upcoming wars. Men are struggling so that is why I have decided to re-enlist. I just can't leave the battlefield I have to stay and be loyal, and help the with all
In Paines excerpt he is talking to the audience which is the American people(soldiers), and he is showing and proving to them that he needs them to listen to him. He is the same as any person that is listening so he has to try and prove himself that something needs to happen. The soldiers realize how bad they are being treated and what is happening. They know that Britain has the power to start taxing and bind them no matter what. Paine is knowing of what the british are capable of and what they will do if they get more power.
The Battle of Vicksburg and the War did not only affect the lives of men, but the women were majorly affected. Before the war women were only allowed to take care of the home, the husband, children, and work in mills and farms (Encyclopedia Britannica). Women were not given a tenth of the respect or rights that men received, but as the war progressed that started to change. During many battles including the Battle of Vicksburg women were doing the household jobs, taking care of children, and doing the work that their husbands, fathers, and/or brothers would be doing if they were not drafted. Some women even disguised as men and fought in the war or acted as spies.
Paine states this in many ways he believes that the Americans would be just as strong or even better off if they didn't have the influence of the british. Saying, “America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had any thing to do with her”. Paine realizes that Americans are coming together over their hatred for Britain making the country stronger. He also talks about how the British to refuse to negotiate anymore, “a new method of thinking hath arisen. All plans, proposals, &c. prior to the nineteenth of April, I. E. to the commencement of hostilities, are like the almanacks of the last year;...
The army was malnourished, poorly clothed, and living in crowded and dark quarters, which is what caused most men to get sick. Some the diseases that stuck the men that winter was typhoid, typhus, smallpox, dysentery, and pneumonia. These diseases were responsible for the death of about 2500 soldiers by the end of the war, along with malnutrition and exposure to freezing temperatures and the snow. Washington repeatedly petitioned supplies and relief, but the Continental Congress was unable to provide it. The Continental Congress has little to no money and didn’t know how terrible the situation was, so in return, the soldiers continued to suffer.
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
My decision was not to stay because of the illness and death rate, the harsh weather and living conditions, and major lack of vital supplies. A major reason for my choice of leaving was because of the illness and death rate. The immense outbreaks forced General Washington to make small camps for the sick who had the same illness. According to Document A, out of 8,000 total people, 3,989 people fell ill at Valley Forge.
Therefore, I choose to stay at Valley Forge, for there is a chance for me to not die of sickness because of the medical care, there is also patriotism, and people are willing to fight for our freedom. The documents A and C prove that only 14% died of sickness. there were about 12,000 of us to start with, and only about 1,800- 2500 died from December to June. Therefore, that leaves just about 9,500 of us left. However, with all the people that abandoned the Continental Army leaves us with just about 8,000 of us.
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).
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
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).
Thomas Paine, a local pamphleteer in the pre-Revolutionary War era, wrote a convincing pamphlet to any colonists who were not already supporting the war for independence from Great Britain. In his argument, Paine uses rhetorical strategy, an emotional aspect, and divine revelation towards the citizens to create a very moving, passionate, and convincing call to arms. The first line, “These are the times that tried men 's souls,” is one of relatability and preparedness for the oncoming difficult times. Paine starts his essay off with a refutation of his argument, stating that although he wants this fight, he knows it will be tough. Paine then challenges the men’s bravery and patriotism to their country by stating the line “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country.”