Revolutionary Documents - 2nd by Jeff Anderson

Speaker: Who was the speaker(s)/author(s)? What assumptions can you make about this person? Describe them to the best of your ability.

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The author of this letter is Simón Bolívar. He was a military leader originally from Venezuela, and he helped Venezuela gain independence from Spain. He then went on to help Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia gain their independence from Spain. Using this information, we can assume that Simón Bolívar knows what he is talking about when he writes the Jamaica letter. His previous experience makes him confident on the ideas of the content in his letter, and when the letter is read, it conveys a sense that Simón Bolívar is someone who should be listened to.

Audience: Who was the intended audience? Does the speaker identify an audience? Are there any assumptions you can make about the audience? (Colton)

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

While Bolívar doesn't mention a specific person in the letter instead referring to the person as "My dear Sir", the letter was intended for Henry Cullen who was an Englishman living in the Caribbean and an who admired Bolívar's cause. He sent this letter in response to Cullen's letter and Bolívar, and it can be assumed that Cullen seeks to help Bolívar whether it might be through lending not only moral support but potentially offer assistance, whether through connections, resources, or advocacy within English circles. It could also be an attempt to rally support and understanding from someone familiar with European sentiments towards South America's fight against Spanish oppression.

Occasion: What were the circumstances surrounding this document? What prompted the author to write this piece? What event led to its publication or development? Give some background/context as to what was going on in that particular region at the time the document was drafted.

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Bolivar was a revolutionary who's goal was to liberate/ unite all of South America. The letter was written after Bolivar's failure to get Venezuela's independence and after he was exiled to Jamaica by the Spanish. These losses were what led him to write the letter, which detailed his thoughts on the current situation and future state of Latin America.

Audience: Who was the intended audience? Does the speaker identify an audience? Are there any assumptions you can make about the audience?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Subject: What is the subject of the piece? How do you know this? How has the subject been selected and presented by the author?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The subject of Bolivar's letter is not only the current state of Jamaica, but of colonial South America as a whole. This can be seen through the author's repeated references of South America and its parent States of Spain and Portugal. He compares South America's situation to that of other states throughout the Old World and acknowledges the existence of these conditions in other places. However, he focuses on the fact that, "after all is said and done, the rulers of Isfahan are Persians; the viziers of the Grand Turk are Turks; and the sultans of Tartary are Tartars." This highlights the fact that the colonial Americas are facing these conditions under the control and exploitation of other countries rather than themselves. Ultimately showing the singularity of their subjugation and the grand scale of it. The author chose this subject as a result of the growing colonial issues in his country and the continental Americas and the general desire for freedom and liberty.

Purpose: What is the speaker’s purpose? In what ways does he/she convey this message? What is the emotional state of the speaker? How is the speaker trying to spark a reaction in the audience? What words or phrases show the speaker’s tone?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The speaker's purpose is to educate the reader about the difficulties of being a colony, especially how they are cut off from the rest of the world and only matter to the Mother Country as a way to make money. He also is trying to gain Britain's support for their revolution. He conveys this message by continuously circling back to the point that if they had been able to access and have relationships with other countries, they would have been much better off. He also analyzes specific examples of how they were oppressed. Simon Bolivar is very passionate about his revolutionary cause, and he is very passionate about the people of South America, as well, and is trying to make sure they succeed. Simon Bolivar sparks emotion in the audience by describing being a colony as being "enslaved" and quoting Montesquieu, whose writings were very popular during the Enlightenment. He also repetitively talks about how difficult it is to fight against Spain by themselves, which would encourage other countries to try to help them in their cause. The use of the phrase "enslaved nation" show Bolivar's tone because it highlights how strongly he hated being a colony and the use of the word "impossible" shows how he believes that Jamaica and all of South America won't succeed in their revolutions unless they receive outside help.

Tone: What is the author’s tone? How is the author perceived by the audience? What is the author’s mood? What is the author’s point of view?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The author feels angry about the injustice of the existing system. The audience perceives the author as exited for the idea of freedom. He feels hope that South America can be free and one day be great. The author is writing from the side of the revolutionary.

Miscellaneous: What Enlightenment principles are reflected in this document?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The document reflects principles of focus during the Enlightenment and refers to the time's ideas and thinkers. The document talks about the trust citizens give to the leaders of their state to protect their natural rights, the social contract. The government was taking and usurping the rights to the people's property, as well as their freedoms and powers. John Locke's ideas of natural rights and the government's role in protecting them are emphasized in the document as the speaker decides their current government does not serve them anymore. Montesquieu is named in the letter as the speaker refers to their writings and ideas, showing how the principles of the Enlightenment spread and that people learned and agreed with their ideas.

Speaker: Who was the speaker(s)/author(s)? What assumptions can you make about this person? Describe them to the best of your ability.

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Occasion: What were the circumstances surrounding this document? What prompted the author to write this piece? What event led to its publication or development? Give some background/context as to what was going on in that particular region at the time the document was drafted. (Dusk)

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The Declaration of Independence signals the start of the American Revolution. After the French and Indian War the British decided to keep a few troops in the 13 colonies. However, it is expensive to keep them there. So the British turn to taxing the colonies. Taxes on offical documents (stamp act), or luxury goods (tea act), and the Quartering Act where citizens were required to house British soldiers in their homes. During this the citizens didn't have little to no representation in the British government. The colonies were angered by this and began to revolt by boycotting the acts. One example of this is the Boston Tea Party where people throw tea into the sea in protest, and the saying of "No Taxation, Without Representation." All the citizens wanted was some representation which Britain wouldn't give to them. So in turn it led to them writing this document of everything they are angry about and declaring their independence.

Audience: Who was the intended audience? Does the speaker identify an audience? Are there any assumptions you can make about the audience?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Subject: What is the subject of the piece? How do you know this? How has the subject been selected and presented by the author?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Tone: What is the author’s tone? How is the author perceived by the audience? What is the author’s mood? What is the author’s point of view?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Purpose: What is the speaker’s purpose? In what ways does he/she convey this message? What is the emotional state of the speaker? How is the speaker trying to spark a reaction in the audience? What words or phrases show the speaker’s tone?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Miscellaneous: What Enlightenment principles are reflected in this document?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Speaker: Who was the speaker(s)/author(s)? What assumptions can you make about this person? Describe them to the best of your ability.

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

It can be taken that, due to the tone presented by the speaker, that the speakers are, in fact, of lower class or very sympathetic to the plight of the lower classes. This is best established by the first article, which states that, “Social distinctions may be founded only on the general good.” It is then extrapolated, as would be expected, that the authors are of lower social class, explaining their motivation for eliminating class distinctions, which would typically affect those of lower status. However, the actual author seems to have some level of education, explaining the quite formal and proper writing style in the document. Furthermore, it can be concluded that, at least at this point in time, the Assembly members who wrote this document were not necessarily a part of Robespierre’s more radical group, as the document did establish freedom of religion, which Robespierre did not look kindly towards, and also prohibited people of authority from committing lawless acts, particularly with respect to things such as execution. The author also ensures property rights, showing that they are not an advocate for a total social upheaval, but instead for more moderate change. In fact, all of this is true, as the document was written by the Marquis de Lafayette, who was, in general, a friend of the common man, and who did receive a fairly good education, but who was not prone to extremism. Lafayette, however, did bring a great bit of passion into the French Revolution, which is reflected in his emphatic use of absolutes. The influence of American writers is also prevalent in the writing, especially the Declaration of Independence's Jefferson, as both documents express sentiments against lawlessness, which they feel that the monarchy itself has violated.

Purpose: What is the speaker’s purpose? In what ways does he/she convey this message? What is the emotional state of the speaker? How is the speaker trying to spark a reaction in the audience? What words or phrases show the speaker’s tone?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Miscellaneous: What Enlightenment principles are reflected in this document?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Occasion: What were the circumstances surrounding this document? What prompted the author to write this piece? What event led to its publication or development? Give some background/context as to what was going on in that particular region at the time the document was drafted.

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The writing of the document was heavily influenced by the successful American revolution that happened 3 years earlier. The author was prompted to write this document after failed attempts of a compromise due to disproportionate representation and unfair treatment. The document was written in a time of both political and social upheaval, in which the lower classes were unproportionally represented and generally had a very low quality lifestyle, as opposed to the lavish lifestyle of the monarch.

Subject: What is the subject of the piece? How do you know this? How has the subject been selected and presented by the author?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

Tone: What is the author’s tone? How is the author perceived by the audience? What is the author’s mood? What is the author’s point of view?

janderson38 — 2023-12-05 14:23:53 UTC

The author's tone in this revolutionary document can be described as confident and authoritarian. The author of this piece is trying to provide hope and confidence for the readers, and for the citizens that are part of the revolution overthrowing the government. In order to provide confidence for the commoners of France he must believe what he is writing and trust that the commoners will agree with the same ideas. Due to the similar ideas of the commoners and writer of this piece, the author is viewed as a leader and example for the commoners who are overthrowing the government. The author's confidence in the writing gives the commoners hope of a new government with equal rights to all classes in the French nation. The mood the readers are experiencing by this piece can be described as hope for their freedom from the government and rights that have not been given before this time. The readers feel like they finally have a say in their rights and what they are forced to do. The author like the others joining him is a commoner and is fighting for the rights of other commoners. Due to the large amount of commoners they are able to work together towards one goal and make laws and rules that they agree on.

The Enlightenment principles of John Locke are present in the Declaration of Independence. Specifically how people have natural right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, governments have responsibilities to those they govern, and if the government does not protect these rights the people have the right to overthrow it and put a new better government in place. The consent to be governed is also mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.

2023-12-06 15:13:59 UTC

Purpose

2023-12-06 15:17:01 UTC

The purpose of the authors would be to state their independence to the world, and declaring that they have the right to declare independence, as does everyone else. They also state their reasons as to why they are declaring independence, and continue to say that they had tried to be respectful in the manner of dealing with these grievances, but due to the King's oppression they had no other choice but to separate.

Audience:

2023-12-06 15:19:00 UTC

The intended audience of the Declaration of Independence is the rest of the world. The document states, "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions", revealing the intention to show their situation to the rest of the world. They often use He when referring to the king in their list of grievances, leading one to assume they are not speaking to Great Britain.

Speaker

2023-12-06 15:19:51 UTC

The speakers/authors of the document are the thirteen united states of America. Assumptions that can be made about the speaker is that they're tired of Great Britain's grievances against them. They are tired of being taxed without representation in government and are breaking off from Great Britain. They are angry about the tyranny in Great Britain, and they provide a clear reason as to why they are declaring themselves as an independent nation.

Subject

2023-12-06 15:20:12 UTC

The Subject of the Declaration of Independence is the United States telling Great Britain that they declare themself a separate nation and why. I know this because in the document the Author says that the United States declare themself a separate nation and the author has a list of reasons for revolution. The author presents the subject by stating that the United States declare themself a separate nation and then just stating the reasons why. The subject was selected by the author because the author and the people in the United States were telling Great Britain that they were separate so they no longer had to pay their taxes and could from their own government.

Tone

2023-12-06 15:22:37 UTC

The author's tone in the Declaration of Independence is serious and determined. The author is perceived by the audience as assertive and passionate about their cause. The author's mood is one of urgency and conviction. The author's point of view is that of the representatives of the united States of America, expressing the grievances and justification for their decision to separate from and declare independence from Great Britain.

Miscellaneous

2023-12-06 15:27:49 UTC

The influence of enlightenment philosophers clearly reflects itself in the French Declaration of Man and Citizen. The declaration presents seventeen articles of the natural rights of man and citizen. This topic in itself portrays the ideals of the enlightenment philosophers, who thought that all men should have God-Given rights, and that, if their government did not supply those rights, then the citizens of the country should overthrow the government. The sixteenth article in the declaration states that a government should have a separation of powers. This reflects the teachings of Montesquieu, who had the separation of powers as one his ideals. The tenth article says that all men are free to have religious and political views without punishment. This reflects the ideals of Voltaire, who fought for the freedom of the press and speech.

Audience

2023-12-06 15:30:09 UTC

The Declaration of Right of Man and Citizen was intended to be read by the French common people so remind them of their natural human rights and duties. The speaker identifies the audience in the top of the document when the writer says that it shall remind them continually of their rights and duties or something along the lines of that. The work choice of "remind" gives readers the impression that throughout the many years of a split social system, the common people of the lower class forgot their natural human rights they they should be ensured on this Earth. Which is why the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen is bettering the lives of the people of France.

Purpose

2023-12-06 15:32:23 UTC

The speaker's purpose is to exhibit the injustices that the common people of France are facing due to the unfair government, to establish the laws and reforms that will create a more just government, and to encourage the general public to aid in the revolution. The speaker conveys this message by stating the injustices faced in the introduction of the document, and then listing out all of the laws made in the new Constitution to protect the freedom and rights of commoners. The speaker is indignant and in an angered state due to the unfairness of the French government, so in this state, he is writing the new laws that will be put in place that will work to end these injustices. He is trying to spark a reaction in the audience by explaining how badly they have been treated and emphasizing the differences between the injust government, and the changes that are being made to protect their freedoms. He is trying to spark the feeling of independence within the audience by using passionate words and describing ideals from the Enlightenment, in order to make the commoners become encouraged and fight for revolution. The words or phrases that reflect the idea of freedom, liberty, and the general good, and those that contrast with the ideas of oppression and lack of freedom show how the author is indignant and how his purpose is to encourage the audience to fight for independence.

Subject

2023-12-06 15:35:01 UTC

The basic concept of the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen was that, "men are born and remain free and equal in rights." Some of the main ideas/subjects of the Declaration are social decisions based on the common good and natural and unalienable rights. These natural rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance
to oppression. The Declaration consists of a preamble and 17 articles.