Question

Read the passage.

George Washington and the American Revolution




To whom was Thomas Paine referring when he wrote of "sunshine patriots and summer soldiers"?

Responses

Americans who only supported independence from Britain when things were going well for Washington's army
Americans who only supported independence from Britain when things were going well for Washington's army

men and women who claimed to support the Continental Army but who acted as spies for the British
men and women who claimed to support the Continental Army but who acted as spies for the British

people who maintained a positive outlook even during the bleakest times of the Revolutionary War
people who maintained a positive outlook even during the bleakest times of the Revolutionary War

citizens who volunteered as soldiers to escape difficult living conditions during the cold winter months
citizens who volunteered as soldiers to escape difficult living conditions during the cold winter months

Answer 1

"Americans who only supported independence from Britain when things were going well for Washington's army."

Paine used "sunshine patriots and summer soldiers" in The American Crisis to criticize fair‑weather supporters who abandoned the cause when times grew hard, rather than standing firm through the struggle (Dec. 23, 1776).