Professor Jopp's Lecture ** Tuesday, June 11, 2002

Revolutionary America

• Unique in history
• Was the model for other revolutions in the world

Factors weighing/working against independence

• England was strong
• Americans saw themselves as English
• Opposing English seemed like treason; felt a strong loyalty to the king (King George)

Factors in support of independence

• Colonials were unhappy with British policies (Stamp Act, etc.)
• There were British soldiers in the colonies and the colonials hated the British soldiers

The pamphlet (little book) Common Sense by Thomas Paine was one of the most important works in American history:

• helped to create an American identity (different than than their English identity)
• helped to create an ideology in support of revolution

  Paine: emotional appeal

  • "The birthday of a new world is at hand"
  • Americans are different
  • American is a special place
  • Took the feeling Americans had of being inferior and changed it so they felt superior; this idea had powerful effect on people
  • Criticized/attacked the king as nothing more and nothing better than anyone else; said in America, "the law" will be king