Joseph Holt Impact On Family History

When it comes to the topic of the American Revolution most have been educated about the significant battles of the war, and the overall outcome. However, submerged beneath the details of war are the individual stories of those living in the colonies. In Rae Raphael’s book, A People’s History of the American Revolution, the personal stories and experiences of the “common folk” are brought back to the surface for the first time. Recounting these personal stories utilizing primary literature provides a necessary accuracy in portraying this time period. The experiences of farmers, laborers, women, Native Americans, and slaves, among others are used to highlight the effects of the revolution caused by the historically overlooked people inhabiting the colonies.

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis is an episodic recount of six pivotal moments in post-revolutionary America’s history. The book follows Abigail Adams, John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington through these events. The author seeks to show not only the outcomes that occurred in them, but to give in detail deeper thought about the thinking and actions that lead to those outcomes.

Upon landing on the beach of Plymouth aboard the Mayflower in 1620, our ancestors were quick to form the Mayflower Compact, a document of self-government. Now on the Twenty-Third of March, 1775, Patrick Henry has lead the cry for sovereignty and for war against Britain. Many of us now are divided over a controversy that has left us skeptical of our fellow colonist. The congressmen in Richmond, Virginia have heard Henry’s exclamation, as he spoke of freedom from Britain and the need for war. Henry argues that the British are preparing for war, that our peace agreements have been in vain, and it's our duty to fight for the noble cause of liberty. So let us not extenuate the matter any further and rather discuss the means in which we strive to free ourselves from the grasp of the Parliament. The time is upon us to take action, because if we are to fight in order to keep our freedom and prosperity, is there really anything else to lose. While the thought of war is inconceivable, we will no longer stand the despotic and oppressive ways of the

“Why Men Fought in the American Revolution,” explains the reasons that American men decided to fight and risk their lives for their families and their beliefs. Robert L. Middlekauff lists his opinions in this excerpt of the many reasons men chose to fight against the British in the Revolutionary War. In “Why Men fought in the American Revolution,” MiddleKauff makes the argument that the American soldiers fought because their beliefs were reflected through their fighting. He shows that soldiers used their relationships to endure the fighting, felt a sense of responsibility to their family and to their country, and shows the false explanations that some believe to be true.

Joseph J. Ellis, the author of “The Founding Brothers,” identifies and give a better vision of what is happening in the American Revolution. Ellis states, “On the inevitability side, it is true there was voices back then urging prospective patriots to regard American Independence as an early manifest destiny” (3). The book introduces the revolutionaries: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin. Ellis focuses on the characteristics, actions, events, and the ideologies differences that affect the American Revolution.

The American Revolution, when 13 American colonies waged war against the most powerful country in the world, Great Britain, for their independence. Soldiers who fought in the war and risked their lives to gain the freedom we have today, is just one of the many prime examples of prevailing hardships in battle. George Washington proved to be exemplary just like many others heroic patriots, like Henry Knox and Nathaniel Greene, when triumphing over the British soldiers with what little strength they had and defeating them. Their victory was more than enough proof on why they deserved independence. David McCullough’s 1776, describes and educates us about events which happened before the war and foreshadows up to the revolution. We learn about the hardships thrown at George Washington and the Continental army whose intentions switched from equal rights to complete emancipation. Battles throughout the Revolutionary War, like the Battle of Bunker Hill, are well known, but McCullough shows the reader how the Continental army continues to strive on even when victory is not in their favor.

While it is impossible to truly elaborate or even go into much detail on the exploits of Captain John Smith’s life, in this paper I will be covering several of his many achievements. In addition, I will be dispelling several of the popular myths in regards to his life that many modern day Americans believe in. Some of these more modern day myths or false narratives are due to his story being adapted and changed in order to make a children’s video by Disney, while others have been debated by historians ever since they were penned by Smith in one of his most famous works consisting of six volumes: The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles.

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation is a well written narrative about America’s founding fathers and the years that followed the Revolutionary War. Ellis’s book is appealing to anyone who is interested in learning about the roots of our founding brothers. The book is also well written in the aspect of not being long and drawn out into one big story. Instead, Ellis breaks the book down in to six stories that talk about different situations with American historical figures. Ellis uses more than one type of historical writing throughout the six stories. He uses social, economic and political types of history throughout this book.

Throughout Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves, and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia, Woody Holton argues that the causes of the Revolutionary War are different than what most people once concluded. Although many American's believe that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are the men who led this revolution, Holton brings up a new theory on how the war began. As Holton's title states, he believes that Indians, debtors, and slaves had a bigger role in the making of the American Revolution. Throughout the entire novel, Holton argues that the American Revolution is not led by the elite men of Virginia, but the nonessential people are those who play the biggest roles in the making of this war.

The life of Benedict Arnold, is a legendary American story, about military victory, dishonor, and treason. In many ways, Benedict Arnold was a hero, a member of the sons of liberty, who rose to the rank of general, and won historic battles during the Revolutionary war. If Benedict Arnold was killed in the battle of Quebec, history would have remembered him very differently. However, Benedict Arnold succumbed the great moral dilemma of greed, which ultimately tarnished his image in American minds. Because of his deceit his military triumphs were forgotten, and replaced with being remembered as a great American traitor. However, to fully understand why Benedict Arnold turned his back on America, a careful examination of his early life, revolutionary war contributions, and decision to join the English Crown is required.

Ellis, Joseph J. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000. Print.

The Non-Fiction Historical Book 1776 By David McCullough is a historically accurate and in depth view of The American Revolution; starting from The Battle of Bunker Hill, Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Fort Washington, and ending its Analysis at the Battle of Trenton in 1776. There are many fascinating features, trends, themes, and characteristics used in 1776 that make the book a fluent and enjoyable read. Also the book gives a very detailed and informative account of the battles and military life from the Battle of Boston to the Battle of Trenton. Finally the author, David McCullough, of the book as many other works and experiences that tell the reader why and how 1776 is such a credible source

Benedict Arnold is a name known throughout America as a name that directly relates to a traitor. Everyone knows he betrayed his country, but not many know exactly why. No one betrays someone or something without a reason and this is the same with Benedict Arnold. In this paper I’m going to discuss his life and events leading up to his betrayal and his untimely death. This is the story of Benedict Arnold the revolutionary traitor.

“1776” is a story of war. This book chronicles the year 1776 and the different battles that took place during the year. Instead of exploring the political changes the year oversaw, Pulitzer Prize winner, David McCullough explores in a different perspective on the battles that occurred during the year. From battle strategies, to the lives of Major Generals, McCullough takes you through the story in a more realistic and factual perspective. “1776” offers an intimate look into the military aspects of the revolutionary war which creates a more lively and engaging literature. McCullough opens the book in London, where King George III appears on behalf of his people to announce war with the North American colonies. American patriots sought to overthrow British government that overexerted its power and pressed the American colonists, which manifested in the former taxes and troops. The American colonists began to protest and riot, which increased tension, eventually leading to the Battle of Lexington and Concord,

1 Joseph J. Ellis, “The Duel,” in Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, (New York, NY: