American Revolution Propaganda

8.H.1.3- Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives. 

8.H.2.1 Explain the impact of economic, political, social, and military conflicts (e.g. war, slavery, states’ rights, and citizenship and immigration policies) on the development of North Carolina and the United States.

At the start of the revolution, most of the colonists wanted to remain part of Great Britain. So how could the revolutionaries get them to support independence? Through Propaganda! But what does the term Propaganda mean?

Propaganda is the spread of information that is for the purpose of promoting some cause. 

During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere were among the people who created pieces of art that inspired the fight for America's independence. These pieces of propaganda were printed in papers and pamphlets and delivered throughout the colonies. These images were a call to arms against the British! But propaganda was used on both sides to promote support for the revolution and for sympathy towards the crown. 

Directions: Below are a few examples of propaganda used during the American Revolution. I want you to analyze the pieces carefully then answer the following questions.

Picture 1: Paul Revere's depiction of the "Boston Massacre" from 1770, used to call for anti-British sentiment.

Picture 2: Propaganda from the British perspective. This 1774 print by Philip Dawe depicted the tarring-and-feathering of Boston Commissioner of Customs John Malcom by the revolutionaries.

Picture 3: Benjamin Franklin drew this famous cartoon of a disconnected snake in 1754 — telling all of the colonies that if they didn't join the fight, they would perish.

PIcture 1-

1. Why did Paul Revere refer to the incident that happened in Boston as a "massacre"? 

2. If you were a colonist in North Carolina, far from where this event took place, and you saw this depiction how would it make you feel?

Picture 2- 

3. Based on this drawing, what does the British think of the colonists revolting?

4. Do you think they were justified for taxing them more after the colonists rebelled several times and attacked British officials?

Picture 3-

5. Why did Benjamin Franklin draw a snake that is broken into pieces to represent the colonies? What is he saying about the colonies?

6. Do you think that the colonists felt connected or disconnected with other colonies?