Fighting the War of Words

Fighting the War of Words The American Revolution, 1760- 1800, was not only a war of weapons but also one of words. Along with swords and guns, the war was fought with pamphlets, speeches, and documents in order to inspire and justify the long awaited battle. Intellectuals such as Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson became important figures of the Revolution due to their literary accomplishments. Henry's Speech in the Virginia Convention convinced the House …

…of complaints against the actions of King George III which threatened the natural human rights of the American citizens. The use of their inspirational words and the arousal of emotion that they caused formed the United Front of the American colonies. These techniques became the basis for fighting the Revolutionary War and were ultimately responsible for the American victory. Work Cited: Hodgins, Francis., et al. Adventures in American Literature. Orlando, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas: HBJ, 1989.