Final answer:
Writers of the American Revolution reflected the period's changes by incorporating Enlightenment ideals and advocating for liberty, influencing the Colonist's perspectives. Works like Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' articulated the colonial grievances against British policies and presented arguments for independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The writers of the American Revolution reflected the societal changes and political upheaval of North America by imbuing their works with Enlightenment ideas and expressing the fervent desire for liberty and independence.
The impact of the Enlightenment philosophies, such as those proposed by John Locke, greatly influenced Founding Fathers like Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
These revolutionary thinkers disseminated ideas that underscored the rights and duties of governments towards their citizens, positing that if a government does not serve the people effectively, it loses its legitimacy.
During the Great Awakening, which occurred concurrently with the Enlightenment in the American colonies, writers began to emphasize individual thought and the need for personal connection with God, aligning with the individualistic ethos that catalyzed the push for independence.
This religious revival encouraged colonists to question traditional authority, mirroring the growing desire to challenge and eventually overthrow British rule.
Texts like Thomas Paine's Common Sense captured the sentiments of the time, arguing against hereditary monarchy and for the natural equality of humans, while also addressing economic grievances such as restrictions on trade with other nations.
Paine's work, along with others, provided a rationale for revolution, blending principles and practical concerns to unite colonists from diverse backgrounds against the perceived tyranny of British policies. Thus, the literature of this era reflected the transition from colonial discontent to a unified push for revolution.