Common Sense is one of the most important and influential works in American History. Overnight Thomas Paine’s pamphlet emboldened a reluctant colonial people and they declared:
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another….”
John Adams said of Thomas Paine:
“I know not whether any man in the world has had more influence on its inhabitants or affairs for the last thirty years than Tom Paine.”
Common Sense Facts
· January 10 1776 1st printing of Common Sense sold in Philadelphia.
· 120,000 copies sell in the 1st 3 months.
· Copies were read and reread at church, army camps and other assemblies.
· 500,000 copies and 25 editions had been produced by the end of 1776
· This is enough copies for 1 out of every 5 Colonists or one for each family.
· Only the Bible had a greater circulation.
· Washington had Common Sense distributed to the troops and ordered it read.
· Paine released his copyright to the book and designated his profits to the war effort.
Comment
For Thomas Paine, Independence was not merely a separation from King George III and the British Empire; he called upon America to be an asylum for Liberty! Independence was not just a means to escape monarchy, but to a way to achieve democracy.
Many Americans still believed the monarchial system of government superior to all others. Still others lacked confidence in the American people’s ability to govern themselves. Paine struck a deathblow to hereditary succession and shocked the world by daring to attack that “crowned ruffian” King George III. He called upon the Colonists not only to oppose tyranny, but the Tyrant! In every sense of the word, Paine gave the people an enemy to fight and a cause to sustain them.
Paine insisted that our rights as a people are “Natural Rights”, conferred not by some government but by our Creator. As such the government is a necessary evil, whose sole purpose is to protect those rights and when it fails at doing so, it is the right of the people to throw off that government and establish a new regime! Britain has miserably failed in this area and is put on the defensive by Paine.
To cut our ties with Britain required a Declaration of Independence. However the Continental Congress and a majority of colonists are uncertain and resist making the break. Tom Paine’s Common Sense takes center stage and breaks the logjam of indecision by winning over the hearts and minds of the people with his common sense pleas for liberty, freedom and independence. Soon the cry throughout the colonies is “…Common Sense and independence.” Wherever his pamphlet was read support for independence followed. Congress catches up and on July 4, 1776 boldly announces, “…That these United Colonies are, and of a Right ought to be Free and Independent States…”
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again,” he said.
They did. The spark, which ignited it all and proved the turning point toward independence? Why it was a little pamphlet, just 46 pages in length… Common Sense.
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Social Studies, Mr. White
Reading Schedule Fall 2014
By October 24 have book read completely read
3 Book discussions will be held after school. Students are encouraged to attend one of the sessions to help them better understand the book. Sessions run from 3:30 -4:30. Students should try to attend one of the sessions.
· Session One October 14
· Session Two October 16
· Session Three if needed October 20
Final Assessment: On October 24 students will be given a multiple choice assessment over Common Sense and information given in class concerning Thomas Paine and the book. Students have been given a choice of 1 of three extended response questions. You should answer one of the questions and turn in your typed essay October 27.
Multiple Choice
10 questions 3 points each, value 30 points
Essay Questions related to Thomas Paine’sCommon Sense
Choose one of the following questions to answer in essay form. 2 page maximum, 12 font, doubled spaced. Support your answers. Due October 27.
1. Paine strongly criticized the Quakers for their leanings toward the British side and blame of the Colonies for the conflict with England. Paine stood in the tradition of Roger Williams and Thomas Jefferson, advocates for the separation of church and state. He believed you should not mix religion and politics as the Quakers appeared to be doing.
a. Explain Paine’s criticism of the Quakers.
b. Do you agree with Paine, religion and politics should not mix? Why or why not?
c. In your opinion, what is the proper role of religion and politics in America?
2. Thomas Paine spends a good amount of time in the book challenging the idea of the monarchy and hereditary succession.
a. Describe Paine’s critique of the monarchy and hereditary succession.
b. Why does he feel it necessary to challenge the monarchy? What is his real purpose?
c. What does he use for his evidence and authority and why?
d. How does his idea of human equality fit into his argument?
3. Does Paine make a compelling case for Independence?
a. Summarize his arguments for American Independence.
b. Why does he reject reconciliation with England?
c. Finally, take on the perspective of a Loyalist and critique Paine’s argument.
d. Does he make the case for Independence? Explain.
Value 50 points
Strength of argument and answers all parts: 40 points
Clearly organized and easy to read: 5 points
Minimum spelling and grammatical mistakes: 5 point
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