Question
Here is the question : PAUL REVERE SHOUTED, “THE BRITISH ARE COMING!” TO WARN FELLOW SOLDIERS.
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Myth
- Fact
- Myth
- Fact
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
Longfellow’s poem about Paul Revere’s courageous midnight journey in 1775 is based on fact but overblown. According to legend, Revere drove from town to town proclaiming, ‘The British are coming!’ but this never happened. Because British spies were omnipresent, Revere would have alerted individuals discreetly.
One of the most enduring legends in American history is the famous phrase, “The British are coming!” shouted by Paul Revere during his midnight ride. This iconic event, often depicted as a courageous warning to fellow soldiers of the approaching British forces, has become a symbol of American patriotism and the fight for independence. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this popular account is more myth than historical fact.
Paul Revere’s midnight ride, which took place on April 18, 1775, was indeed a critical moment in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. Revere, a silversmith and patriot, was tasked with alerting the colonial militias of the British troops’ movement towards Lexington and Concord, where important military supplies were stored. His mission was to warn the local militias and leaders, including Samuel Adams and John Hancock, to ensure their safety and give them time to prepare for the impending conflict.
Contrary to popular belief, Revere did not shout the famous phrase attributed to him during his ride. In fact, such a warning would have been counterproductive and potentially dangerous. The mission required secrecy and stealth, as Revere and his fellow riders aimed to avoid detection by British patrols. Shouting a warning in the dead of night would have compromised their mission and put them at risk of capture or interception.
The origins of the “The British are coming!” myth can be traced back to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” published in 1861. Longfellow’s poem, while a work of fiction, captured the spirit of patriotism and heroism that surrounded the American Revolution. It helped solidify the image of Revere as a fearless messenger, galloping through the countryside to rally the colonial forces against their British oppressors.
In reality, Revere’s primary goal was to discreetly spread the message and ensure that the colonial militias were prepared to defend themselves. His ride was part of a coordinated effort involving other riders, including William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, who helped spread the warning throughout the countryside. The message they conveyed was more along the lines of “The regulars [referring to British troops] are out” or “The regulars are marching.”
While the phrase “The British are coming!” may not have been uttered by Paul Revere during his midnight ride, it has become deeply ingrained in American folklore and the collective memory of the nation. It represents the spirit of resistance and determination that characterized the American Revolution. The myth surrounding Revere’s shout serves as a reminder of the importance of storytelling and the power of historical narratives in shaping our understanding of the past.
the idea that Paul Revere shouted “The British are coming!” during his midnight ride is a myth that has persisted throughout American history. While Revere’s ride was instrumental in alerting the colonial militias of the British troops’ movement, the actual warning he conveyed was more discreet and focused on the imminent danger rather than explicitly identifying the British. Nevertheless, the myth surrounding the shout has contributed to the enduring legacy of Paul Revere as a symbol of American patriotism and the fight for independence.