Why did the congress feel the need to boost American morale by releasing this address in early 1778.
To understand why the Congress felt the need to boost American morale by releasing an address in early 1778, we must take a step back and look at the historical context of that time.
In 1776, the American colonies declared their independence from Britain, initiating the American Revolutionary War. The early years of the war were difficult for the American forces, as they were facing a superior and well-trained British army. The Continental Army suffered several defeats, including the loss of New York City in 1776, the retreat across New Jersey, and the subsequent occupation of Philadelphia by the British in 1777.
The Congress, acting as the governing body of the newly formed United States, was aware of the importance of morale in waging war. A discouraged and demoralized army and citizenry would have posed a great challenge to continuing the resistance against the powerful British forces.
Therefore, in early 1778, the Congress decided to release an address aiming to boost American morale. The address was not a specific document, but rather a compilation of speeches and writings by influential leaders of the time. It included writings by Thomas Paine, John Dickinson, and John Adams, among others.
The Congress believed that by disseminating this address, they could achieve several goals. First, they wanted to highlight the importance and righteousness of the American cause of independence. By reminding the soldiers and citizens of the ideals of freedom and liberty they were fighting for, they hoped to reignite the spirit and determination of the American people.
Secondly, the Congress aimed to counter the propaganda spread by the British, who wanted to convince the Americans that their independence movement was doomed to fail. By providing a counter-narrative through the address, the Congress sought to inspire hope and confidence among the American people.
Lastly, by releasing the address, the Congress wanted to rally support for the war effort. They hoped that by reminding the American people of the sacrifices made by their fellow countrymen, they could increase recruitment and donations to support the Continental Army.
In summary, the Congress felt the need to boost American morale by releasing an address in early 1778 due to the challenging circumstances of the Revolutionary War. They aimed to remind the soldiers and citizens of the importance of their cause, counter British propaganda, and rally support for the war effort.