Revolutionary Period Test Flashcards
What was the Age of Reason?
Writers in the Age of Reason believed that through reason, people could improve society without relying on past traditions. Reason, they believed, thrived on freedom.
What did most writers write about during this time?
Writers in the Age of Reason concerned themselves with life on earth such as science ethics and government, rather than spiritual issues.
Describe/discuss the circumstances that brought about the American Revolution.
The French and Indian War, or the Seven Years War, led to new taxes and policies that Americans found unfair.
Why did the colonists object to their treatment? How did they respond?
The colonists objected because they were being taxed without representation. They protested through writing and speech, such as letters, pamphlets, and essays.
Benjamin Franklin
Rising from obscurity to prosperity, Benjamin Franklin, is the prime example of the American Dream. In Franklin’s The Autobiography he describes his modest financial upbringing and his success. He was very influential in his lifetime, founding the first circulating library, studying lightening, and founding the University of Pennsylvania.
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was born into an upper middle class family and practiced law. His father taught him latin so he could read the classics, and he references those classics in his speeches, such as his Speech in the Virginia Convention. He spoke out strongly against tyrannical regimes, supported the revolution, opposed a strong federal government, and helped right the Bill of Rights.
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine’s early life led to sympathy for underdogs, so he promoted the revolutionary war. In his pamphlet, Common Sense he conveys his passion about the colonies pursuit of independence. Later, while he was in the Continental Army, he wrote The Crisis, inspiring the troops to keep fighting despite constant defeat.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson grew up in an aristocratic family and classical education. He drafted the Declaration of Independence arguing for independence from the British. He was the minister to France, Secretary of State to George Washington, the third president, architect, patron of the arts, and he made the Louisiana purchase.
Aphorism
An aphorism is a terse, pointed statement expressing some wise or clever observation about life. Paine uses the aphoristic style in The Crisis to motivate the soldiers to keep fighting despite the constant defeat.
Autobiography
An autobiography is a person’s account of his or her own life. Benjamin Franklin wrote the The Autobiography, recalling events of his life
Allusion
An allusion is a reference to a person, a place, an event, or a literary work that a writer expects a reader to recognize. Patrick Henry alludes to scripture in his Speech in the Virginia Convention to emphasize his command to have a revolution.
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of using language for persuasion. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson uses rhetoric to argue for liberty, freedom, and independence.
Oratory
Oratory is formal public speaking and literature that grows out of public speeches. The Speech in the Virgina Convention was spoken in public to convince people on the fence to join the fight for revolution
