Historical and Cultural Connections

Faith in humanity and various freedoms drove early Americans to found this country and to fight for it. The Puritans who arrived to the New World wanted the freedom to practice their religion as they chose. Other settlers who arrived to the New World in their explorations hoped for wealth and prosperity. Their writings, whether they were sermons, poems, personal accounts, or speeches, expressed their strong faith in their beliefs and causes. Native Americans used oral tradition to pass down their historical accounts and cultural stories.

Persuasive speech was particularly important to the colonists during this time in order to spread and gain support for their early American ideals. Being aware of the power of persuasion and having the ability to use it yourself helps to make you a more literate and influential individual today, much like the early Puritan colonists who used the art of persuasion to help build this country.