Thursday, October 28, 2010
"Sowing the Seeds of Revolution"
This blog that I am creating is focused on early American history and how the power of journalism has created and has had an overwhelming effect on what has become America as we know it today. I will be using the text by Rodger Streitmatter titled Mightier than the Sword: How the News Media have Shaped American History as the basis covering certain key milestones during the period of 1763-1776. The first chapter is called "Sowing the Seeds of the Revolution". This chapter focuses on how certain men in American History help influence the events by way of their journalistic techniques and writings. These men did definitely make the difference with their words. In 1768-1769 Sam Adams, cousin of John Adams published a series of 35 weekly articles in the New York Journal. This was today’s precursor to what we know today as the Associated Press. These articles spread the word to everyone in the colonies of the way Boston Massachusetts was being occupied by British troops; this in turn brought forth what we know today as the Boston Massacre. Another talented man who received great fame as one of the most influential journalists during the Revolutionary period was Thomas Paine. He is most famous for Common Sense. This encouraged that the American colonists should rebel against the British throne. It also said that the colonist deserved more and that they should deserve much more. In 1776 Thomas Paine joined the Continental Army. At George Washington's request to rally the troops with some positive inspiration Thomas Paine wrote The Crisis. It was published in the Pennsylvania Journal. These publications from the 1760"s and 1770"s help create a revolt against the British and force the colonists to gain an independence of there own. This independence helped form the America as we know it today.
I chose the topic because.....
The reason I chose the topic over the others was for my interest in the power that the pen had in the period from 1763 to 1776. The fact was that the early settlers of this country were only able to really believe what others had told them. Everything was based on word of mouth. We have to remember that this is a time when there wasn't any of the luxuries we have today. There were no TV's, radios, phones and definitely no computers. The thing that amazes me is the way a writer is able to write something and have it distributed to people to read with the notion that it is true. So we look back at a beginning of our history when a man named Samuel Adams shared his beliefs and the power behind his words developed to help people start the fight against the British to form America. “The land of the free”. It took many years from when he published the "Journal of Occurrences" to the time when we gained our independence. There is no doubt that the power that the men used with their published accounts made us the country we are today.
"American History from 1763-1776 and the ties that bind it to Journalism"
I will first give you a short synopsis of the historical events from 1763-1776. The British were successful in defeating the French in the French and Indian War. This ended in 1763. After the war the British now had to face the problem of being the sole major power on American soil. The two short term problems that the British faced were in dealing with the “Indian” problem and the debt they accrued in defeating the French and Indian tribes. The first problem was taken care of in a 1763 decree to keep British colonial efforts east of the Appalachian Mountains. The second problem was not so easy to contain. Over the next 13 years the British went from colonial rulers to hated colonial overlords in the eyes of the American colonists.
There were a series of Acts that followed over the next several years. There was British Parliament’s Navigation Act; this was the tightened regulations on sea trade and the use of the British navy and the Proclamation of 1763. In 1764 the Sugar Act had the British putting a 3 cent tax on foreign refined sugar and increased taxes on coffee, indigo, and certain kinds of wine. The taxes were raised without the consent of the colonists. This was one of the first instances in which colonists wanted a say in how much they were taxed. The Currency Act of 1764 prohibited the printing and use of colonial currency and forced that the colonists sole use of currency be that of the British. The Stamp Act of 1765 taxed all paper items and transactions which damaged the growing American newspaper industry. With all the frustration mounting from the Stamp Act, Sam Adams and Patrick Henry led the fight and creation what was known as the Sons of Liberty. This was created in 1765. There was a protest to the Stamp Act. The dissident leaders in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765 were not strong enough to force the hand of the British. While the repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 they established the Declaratory Act. This Act included a paramilitary function to administrative and enforcement structures within the colonies. This included more troops into Boston. Boston at the time was a hot spot towards the protest of the Stamp Act. The increased tension between the British troops and the colonist led to the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770. After the Boston Massacre there was a decrease in tension in the colonies from 1771-1773. This did not mean that the protestors were not hard at work. Sam Adams and the sons of Liberty were responsible for spreading propaganda to paint a picture of a tyrannical government taking advantage of the American colonists. The Tea Act Crisis of 1773-1774 was responsible for the last stage of escalation toward American Revolution. The most famous event before the signing of the Declarations of Independence is probably the December 16, 1773, Boston Tea Party which was a protest of the taxation and enforcement of duties on tea by throwing tea in the Boston Harbor.
The British response was the Intolerable Acts which closed the Boston Harbor. The First Constitutional Congress met in 1774 and their resolution was to increase economic boycotts and stand up to the lack of representation that the British allowed the American colonists. Everything came to a head in 1775 and 1776 with the Americans and British battling in the towns of Lexington and Corcord. In 1776 the Americans declare independence. In July of that year the Americans signed the Declaration of Independence. So now that I have given you a brief history of the events of 1763-1776 I will now begin to focus on how these events came about with the influence of journalism and the journalist of this era in American history.
There were a series of Acts that followed over the next several years. There was British Parliament’s Navigation Act; this was the tightened regulations on sea trade and the use of the British navy and the Proclamation of 1763. In 1764 the Sugar Act had the British putting a 3 cent tax on foreign refined sugar and increased taxes on coffee, indigo, and certain kinds of wine. The taxes were raised without the consent of the colonists. This was one of the first instances in which colonists wanted a say in how much they were taxed. The Currency Act of 1764 prohibited the printing and use of colonial currency and forced that the colonists sole use of currency be that of the British. The Stamp Act of 1765 taxed all paper items and transactions which damaged the growing American newspaper industry. With all the frustration mounting from the Stamp Act, Sam Adams and Patrick Henry led the fight and creation what was known as the Sons of Liberty. This was created in 1765. There was a protest to the Stamp Act. The dissident leaders in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765 were not strong enough to force the hand of the British. While the repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 they established the Declaratory Act. This Act included a paramilitary function to administrative and enforcement structures within the colonies. This included more troops into Boston. Boston at the time was a hot spot towards the protest of the Stamp Act. The increased tension between the British troops and the colonist led to the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770. After the Boston Massacre there was a decrease in tension in the colonies from 1771-1773. This did not mean that the protestors were not hard at work. Sam Adams and the sons of Liberty were responsible for spreading propaganda to paint a picture of a tyrannical government taking advantage of the American colonists. The Tea Act Crisis of 1773-1774 was responsible for the last stage of escalation toward American Revolution. The most famous event before the signing of the Declarations of Independence is probably the December 16, 1773, Boston Tea Party which was a protest of the taxation and enforcement of duties on tea by throwing tea in the Boston Harbor.
The British response was the Intolerable Acts which closed the Boston Harbor. The First Constitutional Congress met in 1774 and their resolution was to increase economic boycotts and stand up to the lack of representation that the British allowed the American colonists. Everything came to a head in 1775 and 1776 with the Americans and British battling in the towns of Lexington and Corcord. In 1776 the Americans declare independence. In July of that year the Americans signed the Declaration of Independence. So now that I have given you a brief history of the events of 1763-1776 I will now begin to focus on how these events came about with the influence of journalism and the journalist of this era in American history.
Outline
Journalism….”1763-1776”
How key milestones in journalism from 1763 until 1776 has helped mold the United States as we know it today.
I. Early history:
- Faces of 1763 to 1776
- 1763: Victory of British over France
II. Sam Adams
- Bio
- Journal of Occurrences 1768-1769
III. Boston Massacre 1770
IV. Thomas Paine:
- Bio
- Common Sense 1776
- The Crisis 1776
V. Conclusion of how Journalism changed 1763-1776
Faces and Images that have influenced Journalism from: 1763-1776
Photo of Sam Adams
Photo from: http://www.nndb.com/people/732/000048588/
Photo of Thomas Paine
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Burial site of the 5 men killed in the Boston Massacre: Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, Crispus Attucks & Patrick Carr |
 Photo of Crispus Attucks Killed in Boston Massacre |
Photo from Wikimedia: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Crispus_Attucks.jpg The event began on King Street, today known as State Street, Boston on March 5, 1770 This famous depiction of the event was engraved by Paul Revere, (based on a drawing by Henry Pelham), colored by Christian Remick, and printed by Benjamin Ededs Photo from Google Images: http://llamabutchers.mu.nu/Boston%20Massacre%20Revere.jpg |
"Join or Die"
"Join or Die"
The image above was originally published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin. It was published during the French and Indian War. It is the best way to portray the mindset of what the colonists had to have in order to push forward and thrive. In the image the serpent is divided into eight parts, with each part representing a British American colony or region. The political cartoon was meant to depict the importance of colonial unity. During this time each colony was independant. The cartoon was recycled during the time of the American Revolution, again to stress the monumental importance of unity among the colonies if they had any hope of defeating the British along with gaining freedom. The cartoon was a symbol of democracy and freedom during the war. By 1774 the segments of the snake had grown together, and the motto had been changed to read: "United Now Alive and Free Firm on this Basis Liberty Shall Stand and Thus Supported Ever Bless Our Land Till Time Becomes Eternity"
Photo from: http://possumblog.mu.nu/images/join_or_die.jpg
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Sam Adams and his journalistic contribution
In my opinion Sam Adams had such a major impact on journalism and his writings have gone down in history as beyond powerful in what we know today as America. Sam Adams worked at the Boston Gazette. Adams wrote essays about his political ideas. These ideas were developing in Boston. The eager publishers were quickly to get his writings to print. The British passed the Sugar Act in 1764. This Act put a 3 cent tax on foreign sugar and increased taxes on coffee, and certain kinds of wine. It banned importation of rum and French wines. The affected merchants were very vocal. Besides, the taxes were raised without the consent of the colonists. This was one of the first instances in which colonists wanted a say in how much they were taxed. Then the British passed an even harsher tax law than the Sugar Act. This tax law was the Stamp Act of 1765, which placed a tax on printed materials throughout the American colonies.
Adams's sizzling essays and continued determination helped harden American opinion against the Stamp Act. His columns in the Boston Gazette newspaper sent a flood of abuse against the British government. He wrote numerous newspaper articles that stirred his readers' anger at the British. Adams appealed to American radicals and communicated with leaders in other colonies. By the time of the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts on April 17, 1775, (the beginning of the Revolutionary War) his career and his popularity began to rise. Adams was then elected into the Massachusetts legislature.
I really find it amazing that the words of one man, like Sam Adams led to a following of people in the colonies that were swayed into believing that they deserved to be on their own and this led to a push to become the independent land that is known today as America.
Who was Samuel Adams ???
Check out the link which includes a biography about Samuel Adams:
http://www.bookrags.com/biography/samuel-adams-dlb/
http://www.bookrags.com/biography/samuel-adams-dlb/
Quote from a Samuel Adams speech:
Here is a quote from a Samuel Adams speech:
Photo from Google Images: http://www.piecemakers.com/govern.html
Adam's and his "Journal"
The "Journal of Occurrences” was a series of newspaper articles published from 1768 to 1769 in the New York Journal chronicling the occupation of Boston Massachusetts by the British Army is usually attributed to Samuel Adams the clerk of the Massachusetts house of Representatives.
The occupation of Boston arose from colonial resistance to the Townshend Act passed by the British Parliament in 1767. In response to acts, the Massachusetts House of Representatives issued a circular letter in February 1768. Written primarily by Samuel Adams, the circular letter argued that the Townshend Acts were a violation of the British Constitution because they taxed British subjects without their consent. The first installment of the "Journal" was published on October 13, 1768, and continued once a week for more than a year. In an innovative approach for an era without professional newspaper reporters, the "Journal" presented a narrative of shocking events in Boston to the outside world. Although the authors claimed that what they wrote was "strictly fact", the events depicted in the articles were apparently exaggerated. Boston was overrun by unruly British soldiers, who allegedly assaulted men and raped women
Although British officials in Boston insisted that the events depicted in the "Journal of Occurrences” were mostly untrue the articles were widely reprinted and helped build the sentiment that eventually produced the American Revolution.
The Samuel Adams Scholarship in Journalism
If your interested in obtaining a degree in Journalism you may be eligible for a scholarship from Patrick Henry College in Purcellville Virginia.
Also check out the link about Patrick Henry College:
The 5 "W"s of the Boston Massacre
Who: The Americans and British
What: Known as the Boston Massacre
Where: King Street, Boston, Massachusetts
When: March 5, 1770
Why: America didn’t want the British troops around
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5th, 1770 between a mob of American patriots and British troops. The Patriots threw snowballs, stones, and sticks at the British. Five colonists were killed and this led to a campaign by speech-writers to rouse the angry of the public. The presence of British troops in the city of Boston was increasingly unwelcome. The riot began when about 50 citizens attacked a British lookout.
A British officer, Thomas Preston, had brought in additional soldiers these men were also attacked, so the soldiers fired into the mob, killing 3 on the spot. The men killed were a black sailor named Crispus Attucks, a rope maker Samuel Gray, and a mariner named James Caldwell, The riot also wounded 8 other men. Two of the men later died, they were Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr.
A town meeting was called demanding the removal of the British and the trial of Captain Preston and his men for murder. They were later acquitted and release. Later, two of the British soldiers were found guilty of manslaughter.
The Boston Massacre was a signal event leading to the Revolutionary War. It led directly to the Royal Governor evacuating the occupying army from the town of Boston. It would soon bring the revolution to armed revolt throughout the colonies.
Boston Gazette-March 12, 1770
Click on the 3 links below to view the actual story written in the Boston Gazette about that fateful day in March 1770. This is the event that is known as the Boston Massacre.
Boston Massacre Obituary
Here is the actual heading from the Boston Gazette on Monday March 12, 1770. Click on the link below to see the Obituary in the Boston Gazette the day the men were killed at what is known as "The Boston Massacre".
Link from EarlyAmerica.com
A Re-enactment of the Boston Massacre
Watch a video showing the re-enactment of "The Boston Massacre"
Video from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/plateofpeasinc
View other videos relating to "The Boston Massacre"
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Paine's publications.....
Watch this short video dedicated to the publications of Thomas Paine:
Video from : http://www.youtube.com/user/raskinman
Video from : http://www.youtube.com/user/raskinman
"It was basically Common Sense"
Common Sense is a Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was first published anonymously on January 10, 1776, during the American Revolution. At the time when it was published it had the largest sale and circulation of any book in American history. Common Sense presented the American colonists with a powerful argument for independence from British rule at a time when the question of independence was still undecided. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood. Paine structured Common Sense like a sermon and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people. Thomas Paine began work on Common Sense in late 1775 under the working title of Plain Truth. Thomas Paine received help from Benjamin Rush who suggested the title Common Sense and helped edit and publish it. Paine developed his ideas into a forty-eight page pamphlet. Paine published Common Sense anonymously because of its treasonous content. Common Sense was printed and sold by R. Bell on Third Street in Philadelphia. It sold as many as 120,000 copies in the first three months, 500,000 in the first year, and went through twenty-five editions in the first year alone. Paine donated his royalties from Common Sense to George Washington’s continental.
Thomas Paine had some very strong opinions that he voiced in his pamphlets. He thought that it was absurd for an island to rule a continent. He also thought that being part of Britain would drag America into unnecessary European Wars and keep it from the international commerce in which America excelled. Finally another opinion of his was that Britain ruled the colonies for its own benefit Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was solely one of the most influential writings leading the way for an independent America free from the ruling of the British.
I really like this Thomas Paine cartoon...
The power of Thomas Paine's writings really sum it up!!...
Cartoon from: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/t/thomas_paine.asp
Also check out other Thomas Paine cartoons at this site
Thomas Paine: So influential they named a museum after him....
Thomas Paine was a decisive thinker, a spectacular journalist, a Founding Father of the United States, as well as a key participant in both the American and French revolutions. So it comes to no surprise that they would create a museum in his honor showcasing the life of this influential man of early American times.
Check out the link about the museum created for the life and times of this great man:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/NY/200003398.html
Check out the link about the museum created for the life and times of this great man:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/NY/200003398.html
The Wisdom of Thomas Paine
View this video with quotes from Thomas Paine:
Beware: You may need a hot cup of coffee while viewing this video...
Video from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBTrfy8HuEQ
Beware: You may need a hot cup of coffee while viewing this video...
Video from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBTrfy8HuEQ
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thomas Paine an Abolitionist of Slavery
Thomas Paine wasn't the first but he was definitely one of the earliest and again with the power of his words was one of the most influential men in the fight towards ending slavery. The link below is the essay that was written by Thomas Paine. It was written in 1774 and he published it in 1775. On March 8th of 1775 it appeared in the Pennsylvania Journal and the Weekly Advertiser. Just a short time later the first anti-slavery society in America was formed in Philadelphia. Thomas Paine was a founding member of this society.
Thomas Paine's "The Crisis"
Thomas Paine joined the Continental Army in 1776. With numerous defeats by the hands of the British, Thomas Paine saw a mass amount of his fellow countrymen killed. George Washington, who was the leader of the Continental Army as well as the first President of the United States, asked Thomas Paine to write words of inspiration. These words were read aloud to the troops on December 23, 1776 in hopes of motivating the men to continue fighting. They were read 3 days before the Battle of Trenton. These words were known as The American Crisis. They were a series sixteen pamphlets that were published starting in 1776. The first volume begins with the famous words "These are the times that try men's souls". They were often known as "The American Crisis" or "The Crisis".
"The Crisis" Photo from: http://www.thomaspainefriends.org/paine_am-crisis-1.jpg
December 23, 1776......."These are the times that try men's souls"
This was the famous quote that began the well known series of pamphlets written by Thomas Paine. I really find it moving that the first President of the United States of America asked a man like Thomas Paine to write something to encourage men in a time of war. George Washington really must have look up to the literary skills and inspiration of Thomas Paine to ask him to do such a thing.
Below is a site I found that has all the pamplets written by Thomas Paine.
A short Video of the beginning of the Thomas Paine's....'The Crisis"
Here is a short video of the beginning of the "The Crisis"
Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LHHAylMvMg&feature=related
Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LHHAylMvMg&feature=related
The Wrap Up.....Journalism 1763-1776
As you can see by the information I have gathered in this blog, the focus seems to point to 2 men in particular Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine. These two men were the powerhouses in the literary world at the time prior to the Revolutionary War. There words and writings were made known to people and these words help shape and influence events in the time period of 1763-1776. I really find it inspiring as you can see from the information gathered in my blog that these two men were able to use their straightforward words to make such a significant change in forming the great country as we know it today. I have really enjoyed creating this blog for it has given me so much new knowledge on this fascinating period of time in American History. Personally, I have learned so much. I hope you have enjoyed the information and my personal insights and comments regarding this period of time in history.
My 2nd Blog Project....
At this time, I will fast forward in Journalistic history about 200+ years to the 1930's and 1940's. My blog at this point will be focused on another chapter in the text, Mightier Than The Sword by Roger Streitmatter. This is Chapter 8, titled Father Coughlin, Fomenting Anti-Semitism via the Radio.
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