The Importance of Literature in History

888 Words4 Pages
It played important roles in The American Revolution, The Civil War, Civil Rights Movement, and Great Depression. Each work of literature was had a purpose. They demanded a course of action for a better nation. The authors are just as important for the success of their works. William Lloyd Garrison, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, Ida B. Wells, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Upton Sinclair are just some of the many journalists, writers and novelists who contributed toward the same cause, the progress of a growing nation. "The American Crisis" and "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine were influential during the colonies break from Britain. "Common Sense" was intended to gather support for a revolution against Britain and finally achieve independence. It was the first work to openly ask for independence from Britain. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America. The pamphlet argued that common people have the ability to govern themselves, and that many advantages would come with America summing its own affairs. He published this when the colonists were being attacked with a wave of rigid measures. Britain kept taxing anything it could think of, in order to keep a tighter grip on the colonies. Thomas Paine knew this was the perfect time to open the eyes of the colonists to the tyrannical behavior of Britain. That it was common sense to separate from your king when he is not doing its job, which is to protect and serve the people for the well being of the people, not for the selfish interests of the king. Thomas Paine did not only help start the revolution but he also helped in making sure independence from Britain was accomplished. A midst the revolution, his second work "American Crisis", overall intention was to persuade not just the soldiers but the common public as well. The goal was too lift and spark the patriotic spirits of the
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