Question

"I call not upon a few but upon all—not on this state or that state, but on every state—up and help us. . . . Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and repulse it."

Paine's purpose in issuing this plea is to
a. draw attention to the differences that exist among colonists from different states.
b. unite the colonists in support of continuing the fight for independence.
c. encourage the colonists to wait for better times in the spring.
d. warn the colonists of the danger of a British attack during the winter months.

Answer 1

Thomas Paine's plea in "The American Crisis" is to unite the colonists in support of the fight for independence against British rule, advocating for collective action and reinforcing the sentiments that led to the Declaration of Independence and the revolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thomas Paine's plea in "The American Crisis" aims to unite the colonists in support of the struggle for independence from British rule. He invokes the spirit of unity and shared danger to inspire collective action against common adversity. Paine's call is a rallying cry to all states to set aside differences and meet the British threat with hope and virtue. It serves as an emotional and motivational appeal during a time when morale was exceedingly low due to the hardships of war and the 'depth of winter.'

His words are meant to galvanize the colonists into believing that perseverance and fortitude can lead to a "glorious issue," which is a free and independent nation, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.Paine's broader goal complements the shift in sentiment towards independence within the colonies, which had been significantly propelled by the earlier publication of his pamphlet Common Sense.

His powerful advocacy for an American republic based on the ideals of popular sovereignty and the rejection of monarchy resonated with many colonists, ultimately contributing to this shift. Furthermore, Paine’s writing played a pivotal role in laying the philosophical foundation for the Declaration of Independence, and his plea in "The American Crisis" continues this momentum by urging collective action to see the revolutionary cause through to a successful conclusion.