As tensions grew increasing, the odds of a war seemed more and more likely. One of the turning points in peoples minds whom were still respecting their loyalty to the crown was the pulication of Thomas Paine's article entitled "Common Sense". This pamphlet pursuaded the minds of loyalists to reject the king and that America had far more to offer people than Britain. This appeal to the loyalists to drop their loyalty to England was in perfect timing, for tensions were so high, that people were now willing to fight to defend the country. This tension was created from the diminishing freedoms colonists had been experiencing and the taxes that unified the colonists of all classes, geographic location, and gender. Loyalists were beginning to feel threatened by the patriots extreme belief in freedom, and neighbors were killing their fellow neighbors that were not revolutionists. With British loss of New Jersey, loyalists were unprotected by the kings army and were forced to flee the country.
With the alliance of the French army, the momentum of the war shifted with the Continental Army gaining much needed financial and military support. The Britains suffered greatly from the brutal winters, disease, and low morale. The Continental Army was able to succeed in defeating the British because of soldiers strong belief in what they were fighting for. Washington's brilliant and leadership were the key for America's eventual final victory at Yorktown, winning the war and gaining the Independence the patriots so strongly believed in. America now faced the difficult process of establishing themselves as an independent country, developing a system of law that would comply with the beliefs stated in the declaration of independence. The aristocrats took the natural belief that they would become the governing body, yet those whom actually suffered through war and risked their lives thought otherwise. The next several years following the war brought many conflicts as issues such as slavery and government were challenged and brought people apart as they would eventually go to divide the country in half.
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I extremely agree with your comment about how the Continental Army was able to beat the Bristish because of their strong belief in what they were fighting for. The soldiers in the Bristish army lost support from home as the war continued, and some didn't even want to be over fighting in America in the first place. That belief on the colonist's part was a huge part of what kept them united and kept giving them a light at the end of the tunnel because they REALLY WANTED what they were fighting for, even when times got really rough and they probably just wanted to give up.
Tom Paine's Common Sense was probably the spark to this American patriotism. The patriots were already in the mind-set of not wanting to be ruled anymore and wanting to have a just government; a republic and not a monarchy ruling them who was seperated from them by the Atlantic Ocean.
I bet Paine's article persuaded a few loyalists to change their mind and start thinking the Patriot's ideas made more sense. But really, how many loyalists do you think changed their beliefs? And how many do you think did it out of a true sense of really thinking Paine was right?
I bet a few of them "changed" their beliefs just to be accepted by their patriot neighbors and I bet became very nervous after reading Paine's pamphlet and seeing what a great affect it had on such a huge number of colonists.
Lastly, the years after the war DID bring a lot of conflict, and I think many slaves probably thought they fought for nothing. They had not "won" anything with America becoming independent of Britain. They were back to where they started before the war. But it would have to have been a Utopia if America just transitioned without any problems to becoming a strong, independent country right away.
An analogy that could be used in ending a romantic relationship. The majority of people don't move on right away if they were really involved in the relationship. They're are problems moving on and starting to see other people. In this case, the colonists had problems setting up their own rules that everyone agreed with and made everyone happy. Every single person is never going to be happy with a decision or law, and many Americans weren't happy with slavery and that's one thing that brought about America's own civil war.
Thomas Paine was definitely a key contributor to bringing the colonists of all classes and fighting for a common goal and that was freedom from Britain rule. He wrote many inspirational pieces like "common sense" and used propaganda in his favor to make a revolution sound more appealing in the eyes of his fellow patriots. During the war when the colonists felt that there was no hope and possible defeat was among them, Thomas Paine wrote a piece on top of his drum that George Washington had everyone of his soldiers read to regain faith and their spirits towards a victorious defeat of the royal british army. After the war was won by the patriots there was still much to be discussed on equality issues and among the people. The lower and common class wanted equality as well as equal rights with of course the LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, AS well as every other american soldier who fought during the battle. The slaves on the other hand were forced back into slavery and left with a life of misery until Abraham Lincoln comes along, but we are not that far yet.
Thursday's discussion over Thomas Paine's Common Sense was really interesting. What a smart move on Paine's part to circulate his article during the height of the Revolution. Although Paine's Common Sense did not win the war, it certainly provided a significant boost in morale that was needed!
The Continental Army united as one to fight the British mainly due to the part of Tom Paine's "Common Sense." The pamphlet was very popular amoung colonies with almost every family owning a copy; at a time when everyone was extremely poor.
I found it very interesting how such big events we're set in action by just a pamphlet of information.
I also believe that Thomas Paine's Common Sense was a turning point for the colonists. It was all of the colonists feelings written and published. It gave them determination and reason to fight. It was appealing to intellectuals as well as everyday people. Common Sense was a way the colonies became unified.
Before Thomas Paine Wrote, "Common Sesnse", many colonists did not want to rebel against Britain, and after many people read the pamphlet, people began to understand what was really happening, and if they did nothing to stop it, things would keep getting worse. Unification of all the colonies, was greatly affected by this simple pamphlet.
I think that Thomas Pain was a very smart man that was very educated on the war and to publish a pamphlet that can persuade many people makes him a large figure in American history.
After reading this material it was evident actions and words of one person can influence everyone. Thomas Paine made a major impact by publishing "Common Sense." We are also aware of the impact George Washington made through his leadership skills. I believe the leadership and the "can-do" attitude provided by these two men set the tone for the soldiers throughout the war.
As we look back on the war, it is hard to find a man or woman that does not cry out "American" in their actions. Mentioning Thomas Paine and what he truly did for America should put chills in your bones. To rally an almost dead in heart army to its bloody feet and march on what seemed like an icy hell is phenomenal. I only hope that we may again see someone like him again soon.
Just as everyone else has said Tom Paine was a very important guy with a very important pamphlet. It just goes to show that anything is accomplishable if one man can turn such a large group of people to finally battle their enemy.
It is a very good thing that the British never gave Washington a chance of being a general, how ironic he would turn around and lead the defeat of the British. I wonder just what the British thought about their mistakes after the war was done, I mean as far as not having GW, and realizing they were making the colonists unhappy with the taxation. Did they ever say "oops"?
I agree that the French support was a huge momentum swing in the war. It gave the colonists confidence in themselves as well as many supplies in their aid. With the French on their side, defeating the British seemed more plausible and got more colonists fired up. Also, Washington's bold tactical moves were exactly what was needed to win this war. To defeat the most powerful army on earth, he needed to take chances and go for the home run which he was able to execute effectively.
One thing i have learned is that team morale can change an entire situation around so with american morale on the rise its very true that it helped them eventually win the war. and as i said in my other comment Thomas Paine master of propaganda... he convinced so many people into changing their views incredible/
I think that is so interesting how Thomas Paine could make such a huge impact on the war like that, and how "Common Sense" persuaded so many people. It even made loyalists switch sides and want to be patriots. Also that is crazy to think about how neighbors were fighting neighbors and even family fighting family, like Ben and Will Franklin. I can't even imagine living during that time.
I really agree with the part in your comment about the british having to deal with the winters, disease, etc. It played a pretty big factor for the americans. I also agree with what was said about Thomas Paine's Common Sense, he could not of written this at a better time, it persuaded many people to join the cause, the cause of independence.
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