The Power of Print

1. The Power of Print

2. Three Types of Media • Broadsides: the most dominant form of instant communication. These large single sheets of paper, sold in the streets or posted in public places contained news, notices, resolutions, satiric attacks on public officials and cartoons • Paperbound Pamphlet: an accepted medium of public debate. As a medium for public persuasion.

3. Thomas Paine • Thomas Paine converted revolutionary ideas into self-evident “common sense” arguments. • Common Sense: January of 1776 and in George Washington’s words, Paine “Worked a powerful change in the minds of many men.” • The Crisis: after each “crisis” of the Revolutionary period ie. Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Battles of Lexington & Concord increased the passionate fight against King George III and British Parliament.

4. Patrick Henry • Addressed the Virginia Convention (became one of the most famous speeches in American History) • This speech motivate the “powers at be” to arm the militia with the same fighting powers as the organized army. • Henry’s famous words……“Give me liberty or give me death!”

5. Three Types of Media • The Newspaper • A crucial part in promoting the cause of the revolution. • The newspaper could influence a broad and diverse audience through official proclamations; letters to the editor; satiric poems and prose pieces; and political essays. • By 1775 there were about 38 colonial newspapers circulating the country.

6. In the words of Washington The war efforts, as Washington noted, called for literary efforts capable of impressing “upon the mind of every person, from the first to the lowest, the importance of the cause, and what it is that they are contending for.”