Key of Liberty

THE AMERICAN CRISIS

What motivated Washington’s soldiers to fight twelve hundred Hessian soldiers in the freezing cold on Christmas day, 1776? It was words that George Washington read to his soldiers written by Thomas Paine called “The American Crisis”.
The words reminded the soldiers why they were fighting. They were fighting for freedom of future generations. Thomas Paine wrote: “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” They fought for me and for every citizen of America.
It also said that to have freedom, it is going to be tough, but we can work for it. “…lay your shoulder to the wheel, (sound familiar?), better to have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake.” We also need to work to have a better life. We can “show our faith by our works, that God may bless [us]…the blessing will reach [us] all.”If we work hard, we will get blessings.
Paine’s writings inspired Washington’s soldiers that there was “no real cause to be afraid.” The soldiers didn’t need to fear, and we don’t need to fear, because God will help us in our hard times. Heavenly Father had a plan for America. I am thankful for those troops who fought in the Revolutionary War for future times.
The American Crisis is an inspiring paper. The paper says what our world is like today. “These are the times that try men’s souls.” That statement is true for today, as it also was back then, because our world is in trying times. The American Crisis reflects on our times. It was really uplifting for me to read.