Info on Thomas Paine

Creating Demand for Revolution:Thomas Paine's Common Sense "We have it in our power to begin the world over again."Thomas Paine, Common Sense Learning Objectives: To evaluate the ways that Thomas Paine made the ideology of the American Revolution accessible to everyday people in his widely read pamphlet Common Sense. To reflect on the ways that Paine’s Common Sense might have influenced the decisions of delegates to the Second Continental Congress and basic ideas of the Declaration of Independence. To consider the ways that Thomas Paine shaped an emerging definition of freedom in Revolutionary America. Introduction In 1737, Thomas Paine was born in Thetford, England; his family was working class and poor. In 1774, with letters of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, he immigrated to the American colonies. Two years later, Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense -- a pamphlet that ignited the revolutionary spirit in the American colonies. Common Sense, along with Paine’s other known works, The Crisis and The Rights of Man, reflect the free thinking and revolutionary idealism of a person who decided to seek something better than the monotonous life of a poor working class Englishman. Though neither well-educated nor a particularly a profound thinker, he was intelligent. Paine read the philosophers of the Enlightenment, and their ideas defined his own thinking. With these ideas in mind, Thomas Paine used his gift for bold and graphic written expression and his personal commitment to individual freedom and equality to popularize the underlying ideology of the American Revolution. Eric Foner, author of Tom Paine and Revolutionary America, notes that it is ironic that it took an emigrant from the lower classes of England, who only arrived in American in 1774, to fully grasp that America could mean a "sanctuary of freedom for humanity." For Paine, and for his readers this was the breathtaking vision of the meaning of independence, notes Foner. Of all pamphlets and documents written during the crucial years of 1775 - 1776, Common Sense stands as the most widely read and most influential. This 47-page pamphlet sold 120,000 copies within three months, and during the pivotal year of 1776, some 500,000 colonists bought copies. Reportedly, George Washington was so persuaded by Paine's words persuaded George Washington to stop supporting the King of England, and some allege that Common Sense inspired Thomas Jefferson, as he wrote the Declaration of Independence. When Thomas Paine wrote that "we have it in our power to begin the world over again," he both captured the imaginations of colonists who yearned for unfettered freedom and sensed that the American Revolution could be an event of transcendent historical importance. Paine’s words established that devotion to freedom formed the essence of American nationalism --- a concept that lasts to present day. This activity invites you to read excerpts of Common Sense. Paine's words will help you better understand The mood of those living in the American colonies on the eve of the American Revolution. The ways that freedom became defined in the American experience Your ideas about the meaning of freedom for Americans. Click image for larger view Activity Step One: Understanding the biographical background of Thomas Paine and the historical context that prompted him to write Common Sense. Tasks: Learn more about the early years and background of Thomas Paine Realize the ways that both his background and the ideas of the Enlightenment impacted Thomas Paine's thinking and ideas. Know the events in Paine's life during and after the American Revolution. Make notes on your findings. Resources Meet Thomas Paine A Biography of Tom Paine Step Two: Evaluating the expressed ideas of Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Tasks: Read selected excerpts from Common Sense Consider the impact and possible response of Paine's writing on workers and small farmers in the American colonies. Make notes on your findings. You might want to use the Document Analysis Worksheet for each excerpt of Common Sense. Resources: Access Common Sense. Read most especially the following chapters. Introduction Mankind …. In the following pages…. Document Analysis Worksheet Task Three: Reporting your findings. Scenario: You are a cousin of one of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress and you live in Massachusetts. Unlike your cousin, you are not a landowner, nor have you assumed any leadership role in colonial politics. Rather, you own a small tavern in Boston. You have just finished Common Sense, a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. In your tavern, you mentioned to some of your customers that you had just finished Paine’s work, and you quickly discovered that everyone else had read Paine as well. All, including you, embrace Paine’s ideas. Since you are aware that those who are attending the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia are debating whether the American colonies should declare independence or should continue to try to work out compromises with England, you want your cousin to know that you and others agree with Thomas Paine: Americans have it in their power to "begin the world over again." So you have decided to write a letter to your cousin. What will you tell him? Assignment Criteria: Be sure to include the following considerations in your letter: A clear statement or summary of Paine’s rationale An understanding of the ways that Paine’s ideas reflect an emerging rationale for a rebellion against England. A consideration of the ways that Paine’s ideas contributed to an emerging definition of freedom in Revolutionary America. Step Four: Reflecting on this activity. Use the following prompts to evaluate this activity. Write a short paragraph and submit this with your letter (Task 3). Reflect on the ways that Thomas Paine’s ideas expressed the ideas behind the American Revolution. Did his words make those ideas more relevant to you? Examine the ways that assuming the role of a colonist in 1776 deepened your understanding of the Revolutionary Era. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the activity. What might you suggest to improve this activity? Step Five: Considering larger implications During 1776 two important documents were written. Both expressed the ideology of the American Revolution. Both expressed an emerging definition of freedom. And both have lasting value for the American historical narrative. The first of these was Common Sense, published in January 1776. The second was the Declaration of Independence, written in July 1776. Assignment: Write a short essay or prepare for a class discussion that: Compares and contrasts Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence. Identifies which of the two documents you find most persuasive. Tell why. Resource: Declaration of Independence Sources used for this introduction include "The Birth of American Freedom," in The Story of American Freedom, Eric Foner; "Introduction," Sidney Hook, in The Essential Thomas Paine; "Meet Thomas Paine," Media Visions Webzine, http://www.media-visions.com/tompaine.html#america History LivesCreated by: Susan Oliver, soliver@cerritos.edu Cerritos CollegeLast Updated: 04/01/2009