Rhetorical Analysis Of Wendell Phillips Speech

Improved Essays
White American abolitionist, Wendell Phillips, in his 1861 discourse, shows the force and quality of political pioneer and progressive, Toussaint-Louverture. Phillips' motivation is to remind his group of onlookers that legends have originated from the most improbable individuals, and accordingly, African-Americans ought to be permitted to serve in the military. By embracing a reverent and reflective tone, appealing to pathos and logos, and using historical and mythological allusions throughout his speech, Phillips convinces his ambivalent gathering of people to receive his conviction that African-Americans ought to be permitted to join the Civil War endeavors.

Phillips opens his discourse by insinuating two extraordinary pioneers before him, Washington and Napoleon, who have served their nations, keeping in mind the end goal to build up ethos and sentiment with his gathering of people. Phillips differentiates how Frenchmen discuss Napoleon, however discover "no language rich enough to paint the great captain," with the hesitance of Britons, Frenchmen, and Spaniards who shared no kind words for
…show more content…
Wendell Phillips’ stimulating speech expanded the knowledge of his vacillating audience on the subject of a former slave who became a hero to many in order to persuade his audience to allow African-Americans to enlist in the military because heroes will rise from where they are least

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Throughout the sixth chapter of The American Political Tradition, Richard Hoftstader the author, refers to Wendell Phillips’ role in history as an agitator. For Wendell Phillips the role of an agitator was a profession, very different from that of a politician, throughout his course he could never be satisfied to the fullest. Hoftstader believes that Phillips’ role as an agitator “was not to make laws or determine policy, but to influence the public mind in the interest of same large social transformation” (Richard Hoftstader). However Richard Hoftstader contrasts the role of an agitator with the role of a politician. Wendell Phillips was much like William Lloyd Garrison.…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Lincoln achieved his purpose when giving the Second Inaugural Address and surprised his audience with it. He used many rhetorical strategies when giving this address. He discusses the difference between the North and South, and how they also compare (Examples: difference is how the North did not have slaves and the South did. Then compared is how both sides saw God the same way). Lincoln talks about the effects of the Civil War and how God is the answer for ending the war and ending slavery.…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    We will examine why Fredrick Douglass called out in harsh detail for black Americans to enlist in the army, what persuaded them and the impact of the message it had on the soldiers. His words led to the enlistment of many black soldiers. Fredrick Douglass knew since the start of the war that this…

    • 1019 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In Alfred M. Green’s speech in Philadelphia during the first month of the Civil war on the topic of African Americans joining the Union army, he uses alliteration and parallel structure to explain that while the past has been harsh to blacks, it is still necessary to fight for their country to gain the freedom they desire. The African American men living in the Northern U.S. are driven to fight for the right to join the Union army in the Civil War. Green uses alliteration to display his condemnation of the African Americans for using previous injustices as an excuse to avoid fighting for their beliefs, as well as using this strategy to convince them to fight to join the Union army. Initially, he alliterates the letter ‘s’ as he says, “received…

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    E. E. Cooper, an African American Editor, believed that territorial conflicts (in this case the Spanish-American War) would be beneficial to African American rights in the military and society (Document 1). Though many powerful black leaders, such as W. E. B. Du Bois, who condemned the war, Cooper contradicts African American popular opinion by arguing that mobilization of the military would result in “a more compact brotherhood”, and that whites would soon abandon racial prejudice. He intended this to be a rally cry for African American males to join the army and help unite the country socially (Intended Purpose, Document 1), however, his cry went largely unnoticed. One can draw from this that support for overseas expansion did not rest solely in the elite, and some believed it might actually bring social reform (a desire based on Progressive Era…

    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Emancipation Proclamation was a war against slavery and took place September 1862 during the Civil War (Keene 386). The proclamation was issued by the president of the United States of America. At the time of the proclamation, Abraham Lincoln was the president, and the reason for issuing the proclamation was because he felt it was a military necessity and to help the Union army by providing a strong military movement by crippling the fight of the Confederates (Bill of Rights Institute). Lincoln felt it was a military necessity because it was believed to be an act of justice, validated by the Constitution, but called on by the people to judge the people and reliance upon God’s merciful favor. The decree of the proclamation was to grant freedom to the slaves within the Confederate States if the States did not return back to the Union by January 1, 1863 by Union Army Control.…

    • 953 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Midnight Rising Analysis

    • 733 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Midnight Rising: John Brown and the raid that sparked the Civil War is written by Tony Horwitz: a bestselling author and journalist who has taken the time to tell an essential American story. The book covers the events surrounding the raid on Harpers Ferry and the complex character of John Brown. Horwitz thesis explains that the raid on Harpers Ferry is the spark that lit the fire of secession and Civil War. John Brown grew as a descendent of Puritans and soldiers from the Revolutionary War, and his upbringing created his “burning hatred of racial oppression” (Horwitz, p.16) and “determination to help slaves” (Horwitz, p.19). He believed that the dissipation of slavery would fulfill America’s founding principles, so he began to lead raids…

    • 733 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This is no time to fight only with your white hand, and allow your black hand to remain tied,” Douglass had urged. Frederick Douglass, in the film Glory, said that a Negro regiment would restore “pride and dignity to those who have only known degradation,” and so the 54th Massachusetts was born. A film about the first all African-American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Glory shows the strong and proud unit of men as they transform to brave warriors and strong leaders. Throughout the film, we see multiple men, both black and white become soldiers, reaching new levels of leadership and respect. This film depicts the true courage and development it takes to fully take on leadership.…

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Gettysburg address delivered on November 19, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln was a dedication speech to the brave men and women who fought in the Gettysburg battle. After three revisions, and hours of work, one of the most influential presidents in history delivered an articulately written speech. A speech that has gone down in history as an eloquent example of the rhetorical devices. The execution of the rhetorical triangle, by the President, created a connection amongst the audience and the speaker.…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He expresses his belief that the black man is “the real hero of this struggle” and through “his courage to risk safety” he makes progress through “his persistent bravery, and his faith in American democracy” (Johnson). This description with the use of “courage” and “faith” reveal a venerable, admiring tone towards African Americans, highlighting idea that they deserve the same equal treatment and rights as a white person. The words “hero” and “courage” connote images of an American soldier risking their life to fight for equality, justice, and freedom for all American citizens. This portrayal of blacks as loyal citizens who risk everything, just as soldiers do, to fulfill the American value of equality creates a common hero in them, convincing the audience that they should join their fight. Following their establishment as a hero, Johnson reveals the struggles that they have been faced with to emphasize their need for the assistance by a unified America.…

    • 1402 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In April 1861, one month into the Civil War, Alfred M. Green gave a speech to persuade his fellow African Americans to join the Union army and fight for their country. His practical usage of repetition, reference to religion, and comparison between blacks in the North and South encourages African Americans to join the Union army. Through repetition of certain words, Green creates a connection between himself and his fellow African Americans. He begins with, “It is true,” in both the second and third paragraphs and acknowledges the struggles black Americans have faced in his country.…

    • 652 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Philadelphia, on April 1861, Alfred M. Green proposed one of the most iconic and inspiring speeches before the beginning of the American Civil War. Alfred M. Green discusses the concept of slavery and freedom in regard to the enlistments of African Americans in the Northern military regiments. Although many of his offers were ignored, Green still continued to advocate for his fellow African Americans and favored the idea for African Americans to fight for their legal status and ability to serve in the Union army. Green speaks in an emotional tone that prepares his audience for his purpose. “A house divided amongst itself cannot stand” (Lincoln).…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Due its prevalent nature, freedom, in general, cannot be placed in a particular category or as an idea. Rather, it has been the focus of insistent conflict in American history. The history of American freedom is an anecdote of deliberations, disagreements, and struggles rather than a set of an everlasting continuum or an evolutionary narrative toward a predetermined goal. The ideal meaning of freedom is an impacted privilege at all levels of society.…

    • 909 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    During the semester we have read several text from “Harlem Renaissance” such as the “Returning Solider” by W. E. B. Du Bois is one of the text, that I will talk about on this essay. More on this paper will specifically focus on to inform college students as audience. W. E. B. Du BOIS’s “Returning Soldiers” is about African American soldiers coming back from war to America. These soldiers were recruited in large number in military to help France against Germany at that time. The core point of the text is that the soldiers return home only to a country that does not treat black soldiers equally among to their white counterparts.…

    • 2091 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    During this era, most whites owned slaves in fact on some plantations, slaves outnumbered the white owners. Before discussing the relationship between the American Revolution and black freedom, we must internalize the conditions slaves live in and why would slaves fight for freedom with possibly the ultimate sacrifice death. According to the authors of the Declaration of Independence, living under the British rule was like being a slave. However, these rights did not include enslaved Africans.…

    • 784 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays