The Crisis A British Defense of American Rights
The Crisis A British Defense of American Rights
This application paper is required of you to highlight an important aspect regarding the American Revolution. The Crisis represents a weekly newspaper series published in in London by individuals who supported the colonists in their effort to have the rights of English subjects respected, regardless of where these subjects resided. The complaints issued by the colonists concerned their assertion that the rights guaranteed to English subjects were being denied to those living in the colonies. These claims were recognized as legitimate by many fellow British subjects living in London during this time. After having read this book, as well as drawing upon your knowledge of the Declaration of Independence, I expect you to answer questions that will require you to reflect upon several themes contained within this book and any similarities and differences between this book and the views offered by the colonists in the Declaration of Independence. The fact is that the colonists’ arguments were accepted by some English subjects; these subjects worked to persuade their government to respect the time-honored rights acknowledged as benefits of English citizenship. After reading this book, you will need to analyze some, but not all, of the viewpoints contained within the book. Doing so will also allow you to illustrate the strength of the bonds that connected the colonists and loyalists before violence unfolded. For this paper, I want you to consider how these commonalities shaped the conflict that unfolded in both positive and negative ways. These questions need to be answered within the essay. 1. One common theme found in many of the early installments of The Crisis is an emphasis on the tradition of English rulers pursuing justices for their subjects. How was this tradition utilized to support the colonists in The Crisis? What aspects of this perspective are found in the Declaration of Independence? Does this perspective still resonate in American politics today? 2. A reoccurring concern expressed in The Crisis by the authors is that King George was not being advised well by his Prime Minister and other members of the cabinet. Consequently, his decisions were often not the best. According to the authors of these tracts, why was the king dependent on these advisors for advice regarding the handling of the conflict with the colonies? How did these politicians achieve this influence over King George? Using the Declaration of Independence as a guide, how did the colonists account for the king’s behavior? 3. Which installment held the more persuasive and emotive message for you? Why? How does the propagandistic approach within your favorite installment of The Crisis differ from that espoused by the colonists in the Declaration of Independence? How do these two perspectives drive both arguments? And does it prevent these two arguments from being reconciled? 4. As the conflict between Crown and colonies became unavoidable, and as discussed in the later installments of The Crisis, what did the authors predict would be the primary consequences for Britain? Did their view focus on citizens’ rights? Institutional change? Did their fears come true? 5. Had the advice offered by the authors of The Crisis been followed, and conflict avoided, we would occupy a much different political environment. What did these authors predict would be the main benefit experienced by American subjects if conflict could be avoided? Do you agree with their view? Why, or why not?
