THOMAS PAINE COMMON SENSE

Thomas Paine January 10 th pages Sold about 500,000 copies

Common Sense (Just discuss) “In England a King hath little more to do than to make war and give away jobs; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation…. Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.”

Common Sense cont… (Write this slide) ‘Everything that is right is right or reasonable pleads for separation…. ‘Tis time to part.” ‘Everything that is right is right or reasonable pleads for separation…. ‘Tis time to part.” What is Thomas Paine urging the colonists to do? What is Thomas Paine urging the colonists to do? Thomas Paine urged the colonists to part and to declare Independence Thomas Paine urged the colonists to part and to declare Independence

Quotes (Just discuss) "I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense..." "I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense..." "Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part." "Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part." * "Small islands not capable of protecting themselves are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island." * "Small islands not capable of protecting themselves are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island."

Paine's Arguments against British rule (Just discuss) * It was ridiculous for an island to rule a continent. * It was ridiculous for an island to rule a continent. * America was not a "British nation"; it was composed of influences and peoples from all of Europe, * America was not a "British nation"; it was composed of influences and peoples from all of Europe, * Even if Britain was the "mother country" of America, that made her actions all the more horrendous, for no mother would harm her children so brutally. * Being a part of Britain would drag America into unnecessary European wars, and keep it from the international commerce at which America excelled. * Being a part of Britain would drag America into unnecessary European wars, and keep it from the international commerce at which America excelled.

* The distance between the two nations made the governing the colonies from England unwieldy. (Very Hard) If some wrong were to be petitioned to Parliament, it would take a year before the colonies received a response. * The distance between the two nations made the governing the colonies from England unwieldy. (Very Hard) If some wrong were to be petitioned to Parliament, it would take a year before the colonies received a response. * Britain ruled the colonies for its own benefit, and did not consider the best interests of the colonists in governing them. * Britain ruled the colonies for its own benefit, and did not consider the best interests of the colonists in governing them. What was Britain fighting for? What was Britain fighting for? Gold? Taxes? Land? Not Freedom Gold? Taxes? Land? Not Freedom

Impact of Common Sense (Write this slide) Before Common Sense most Americans still felt the best thing to do is try and make things work with Britain Before Common Sense most Americans still felt the best thing to do is try and make things work with Britain It affected many members of the Continental Congress and helped them realize that declaring Independence was the only possible thing to do It affected many members of the Continental Congress and helped them realize that declaring Independence was the only possible thing to do

Impact cont… John Adams said, “Without the pen of Paine, the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain” - (JUST DISCUSS, NO NEED TO WRITE)

Declaration of Independence (Write this slide) The Congress decided that there was no turning back and so they organized a committee to draw up a declaration of independence. The Congress decided that there was no turning back and so they organized a committee to draw up a declaration of independence. On July 4 th 1776 the delegates accepted the Declaration of Independence written mostly by Thomas Jefferson On July 4 th 1776 the delegates accepted the Declaration of Independence written mostly by Thomas Jefferson

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