Effectiveness of the Tory and Whig Arguments Prior to the American Revolution

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Effectiveness of the Tory and Whig Arguments Prior to the American Revolution

In the eighteenth century, the American Revolution played a vital role

in determining the future of the American colonies. Prior to the

Revolution, propagandas from both the Tories and Whigs influenced the

choices that Americans make. Both sides exchanged attacks and

accusations in their publications, while also presenting realistic

evidence and logical reasoning to back their doctrine and arguments.

Two of the many documents preceding the Revolution are especially

interesting in terms of their structure of presentation. Letters of a

Westchester Farmer, composed by Reverend Samuel Seabury, offers

arguments favouring the Tories’ view and questions the effects the

Revolution will have on Americans. In response, Common Sense, written

by Thomas Paine, presents the Whigs’ view of the Revolution and

provides strong valid reasons to answer most of the charges made by

the Tories. Both Letters of a Westchester Farmer and Common Sense

share similarities and differences in their structure and evidence

that affect the degree of their effectiveness.

The structures of Letters of a Westchester Farmer and Common Sense

play a critical role in effectiveness. In Letters of a Westchester

Farmer, the author first describes the current situation of the

Americans. It says, “The American Colonies are unhappily involved in

a scene of confusion and discord. The bands of civil society are

broken; the authority of government weakened…”[1] Samuel Seabury then

addresses the depressing signs of the upcoming revolution, and

gradually gives reasons for his charge. For instance...

... middle of paper ...

...f a live debate between the

two sides, with the Whigs winning on each issue. On the other hand,

the Letters of a Westchester Farmer completely expressed the Tories’

view, and made the Whigs and the Congress look evil, which was

effective to those who was not sure which side to take on. Despite

the differences in the degree of effectiveness that both documents

have, they both are well-structured and planned documents that

succeeded in persuading Americans to take sides with Whigs or

Tories.

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[1] Samuel Seabury, “Letters of a Westchester Farmer”, (1774-1775), p.26.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Thomas Paine, “Common Sense”, p.38.

[4] Samuel Seabury, “Letters of a Westchester Farmer”, (1774-1775), pg.28.

[5] Thomas Paine, loc. cit., p.39.

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