Sowing the seeds of Revolution: I chose this chapter because this is where journalism began. Journalist like Adams and Paine inspired people to live independently. The war had a lot of negative affects during that time but if it wasn’t for Paine and Adams, America would be under British Rule. Now understanding Paine and Adam’s purpose during the war, I wish I could personally thank them. I love being independent!!!!
This Picture illustrates the Revolutionary war soilders. (sonofthesouth.net)The book “Mightier then the Sword” by Rodger Streitmatter discusses how the news media shaped American History. The American Revolution was one of the major points that have shaped American history and this was a desperate time for all the colonies as Britain was in control.
(partyhireauckland.co.nz)56 men signed their names to the Declaration of independence. These men demanded freedom from an oppressive government. It all started in 1763 when Britain’s victory over the French left Britain bankrupt. Colonial legislation didn’t raise enough revenue to satisfy Britain. Britain took matters into their own hands by taxing all their goods making it impossible for people to afford. Ideas were stirring among the people and this is where the press came in to defend the good of human kind. The writing of this era appeared in newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets that expressed arguments of the rebels. Prominent voice of the Boston Gazette argued that Britain parliament imposed taxes along the colonies. The press believed they should establish laws among the colonies instead of having one king rule all. Sam Adams believed in this and took control into his own hands. He started the “Journal of Occurrences” which documented the British wrong doings. Adams then got other Boston agents involved and they started publishing the stories by sending them to John Holt, who published the “ New York Journal” by using all of their stories. Adam’s main purpose was to bring terror against the British troops and by showing people what Britain was doing to their colonists. Adams would document dates and have descriptions on what the troops were doing like a diary. The Boston Massacre occurred when soldiers killed colonists just because of a few snowballs. This upset Adams, which caused him to document that incident as well.
The cover of Thomas Paine's Book "Common Sense"(stratobooks.com)
Another bold journalist’s, Thomas Paine who came into the picture in April 1775 was employed under British consent to collect taxes on liquor and other items. He gave himself the option of higher pay and his workers had gotten the same benefit. Britain was distraught by this idea and fired him on the spot. This didn’t stop Paine at all; it only encouraged him to show Britain’s true colors. Benjamin Franklin admired his perseverance and encouraged him to go to America. He arrived in Philadelphia and Benjamin’s connection led him to edit the “Pennsylvania magazine.” This gained Paine a reputation and a force to be reckoned with. Thomas Paines “Common Sense” evolved after Benjamin Rush encouraged him to write an essay on the future American colonies. Common Sense argued that,“ Those men and women not only deserved, but were obligated as citizens of the human race, to demand much more”(Streitmatter 17). The Common Sense was a success and Paine’s word’s had a significant impact to the American Revolution. They say it wasn’t the main cause of the war but it defiantly got the colonists fired up. Although the American men weren’t doing to well during the time of the war, Washington encouraged him to write a crisis essay to motivate the troops. The crisis paper was printed in the “Pennsylvania Journal” and copies were passed out to all colonies. Thomas Paine took it as his duty to write out 12 crisis papers, and they were published in December 1783 inspiring colonists to seek independence. “For these publications News Media shaped American history publications produced in 1760-1770s helped lead colonists toward political and social revolution” (22). These negative reports on Britain had positive reactions which helped persuade British officials to send troops home and end the war.
My information that I have gathered to write this excerpt on chapter one came all from “Mightier then the Sword” by Rodger Streitmatter.
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