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1776 Turning Point Analysis

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Americans remember 1776 for the bravery many leaders displayed at the time of crisis, yet leaders of the time knew it only as a turning point. During the year many losses did occur, such as the Battle of New York, but the wins at Boston, Princeton and Trenton laid out America’s future. David McCullough in the aptly titled 1776 displayed the intricacies of the year in total, and claims through weary diction and use of contrast that leaders aren’t just brave people, but need to lie and be naive to prevail in the goals set forth.
During the year, McCullough described Washington lying for the the war effort. Washington tried to keep army moral up due to the shortage of tents, “blankets and clothing” all the while realizing the army’s “the situation …show more content…
Knox and his men, while carrying the Ticonderoga Cannons, endured harsh terrain, yet Knox described the views observed as having “seen all the kingdoms” (McCullough 84). The hyperbole showcases Knox’s naivety as he, in a sense, didn’t fully grasp the harsh circumstances and focused only on the good, which progressed his task. In process of conquering Dorchester Heights the forces “toiled steadily” the frozen earth, commanded by the leaders (McCullough 93). The patient diction describes the task to be a success, but many things in such an operation could have went wrong, but didn’t, showcasing the usefulness of the leaders naivety. While questioning about New York, Washington confesses with weary diction that “On every side” he could be outflanked, and his troops may give up, revealing his fears (McCullough 207). Washington showcases a lack of naivety with him realizing the severity of the situation, and it could be possible this stressed him out, which led to the failure of his defense in New York. By the end of 1776, Washington changed and believed, right before Princeton and Trenton, he hadn’t lost “and the British had won” (McCullough 271). Washington was naive again, by rejecting the common consensus, and this positive moral likely furthered by the upstanding diction, allowed him to win in Trenton and Princeton. By showcasing such naive traits in leaders, McCullough furthers the

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