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IDEAS IN AMERICAN CULTURE
© Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. For review purposes only. Do not distribute.
Patriotism and Democracy

The colonists were not unanimous in their support for American independence.
Those who wished to remain loyal to the British crown were called “loyalists.” But
most of the population supported the “patriots,” who sought freedom from British
IDEA BANK rule. These opposing factions had engaged in a battle of ideas in speeches, pam-
phlets, newspapers, and even songs before any shots were fired. One such 1776
Crisis pamphlet, The American Crisis (p. 130), written by the philosopher and patriot
Democracy Thomas Paine, called for rebellion so that they could establish a democratic and
Exceptionalism egalitarian form of republican government.
Freedom With the Revolutionary War under way in 1775, colonial delegates met at
Government the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to declare the colonies free
Independence from British rule. They drafted the Declaration of Independence, which drew
Individualism on Enlightenment ideas, such as natural rights, individual liberties, and the
Justice
Liberty
Loyalty
Nationalism
Patriotism
Persuasion
Pride
Protection
Resilience
Revolution
Rights
Tradition
Unity
AP Photo/Evan Vucci

There are 47 million 18- to 29-year-olds who were eligible to vote in the 2020 presidential
election. Students for Trump is a student organization founded in 2015. The group
brought together an estimated 3,000 young conservative voters in Phoenix, Arizona, on
June 23, 2020, to rally for Donald Trump’s reelection.

How do political rallies foster hope in the democratic process and encourage political
engagement? How important is it for political candidates to involve young voters in
campaigns and rallies?

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