122590

-    The Founding Fathers were practical, philosophers. Prose and poetry had a political or "practical" purpose:

-    Benjamin Franklin

-    Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826) - the chief author of the Declaration of Independence

-    July 4, 1776 - one of the most important days In American history Declaration of Independence

-    Explaining the reasons for separation

-    Madę undecided colonists change their mind and support the Revolution

-    It contained not only the changes against the British King George III

-    It was a statement of morał principles

The concepts stressed were:

-    Liberty

-    Equality of all people

-    Humań rights and government

-    Protecting these natural rights

-    Written in simple language and style

-    The phrase "created equal" was difficult to interpret

-    Black Americans and Native Americans had to walt long for freedom and equal rights

Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809)

-    "Common Sense” - the most important pamphlet in American history; elear thinking, exciting language - united American feeling against England. Sold in 100.000 copies.

-    "The cause of America Is in a great measure the cause ofall mankind" -pamphlet.

-    Pamphlet - a short book of a few pages; over 2000 pamphlets were published during the Revolution.

Philip Freneu (1752 - 1832)

-    "The British Prison Ship" - a bitter condemnation of the cruelties of the British.

-    “A political litany" - prayed for his country's deliverance from British dependence.

-    He also celebrated American subjects: "The Virtue of Tobacco", "The Jug of Rum", "The WildHoney Suckle" (native plant).