Common Sense

Common Sense

Open Ended

What does it mean to have common sense?

Multiple Choice

“There is something absurd about an entire continent of people to be governed by a tiny island.” - Thomas Paine

The author of this quote most likely supports . . .

• Showing loyalty to the king

• Working with the king

• Fighting the king

​Context

​Thomas Paine was born in England in 1737. As a young man, he failed out of school and began working for his father, a job he also failed at. As an adult, he began working for the British government as a tax collector. He was fired twice from the job in four years. In 1774, he met Benjamin Franklin who helped him move to the city of Philadelphia in the colonies. Two years later, Thomas Paine would help change the world. By 1776, many Americans were still unsure about seeking independence from Great Britain. In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a best-selling pamphlet titled “Common Sense.” It swept like a fire throughout the colonies. “Common Sense” made the case for independence in clear, persuasive language that even uneducated colonists could understand. The straightforward plea for independence persuaded many colonists to join the cause for independence. He wrote in the language of the people. “Common Sense” offered two major points: 1) The colonies declare independence from Great Britain and 2) The colonies create a democracy, a government not of a king, but of the people. Six months later in July 1776, the colonies would announced their independence from Great Britain. “Common Sense” remains one of those most important and influential writings in human history.

Multiple Choice

What was a main argument of common sense?

• The colonists were petty in their complaints about the king.

• The colonies should declare immediate independence from the king.

• Taxes are a natural part of life.

• A council should be created to work with the king.

Multiple Choice

Why was common sense effective in persuading people to fight for independence?

• It was written in clear and plain language.

• It used complex, academic arguments.

• It was written as a play.

• The pamphlet was too expensive for most people to afford.

Multiple Choice

Regents Practice

1) In the publication Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued that

• (1) Foreign nations would reject an independent American government

• (2) The British government would be impossible to overthrow

• (3) America was dependent on British trade and protection

• (4) The American colonies should break away from England

Multiple Choice

Regents Practice

2) The pamphlet Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, aided the American cause in the Revolutionary War because it

• (1) Convinced France to join in the fight against England

• (2) Led to the repeal of the Stamp Act

• (3) Created a new system of government for the United States

• (4) Persuaded individuals who were undecided to support independence

Multiple Choice

Regents Practice

3) In the publication Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued that the American colonies should

• (1) Approve the Treaty of Paris (1763)

• (2) Ratify the Constitution of the United States

• (3) End their political relationship with Great Britain

• (4) Support the policies of King George III

Open Ended

Analyze the primary source quote from Common Sense in your own words. What does the quote mean?

“The distance that God has placed between Britain and America shows that the almighty had no intention for one to have authority over the other. To travel 4,000 miles for an answer to a question will be looked at in the future as childish and foolish.”

Open Ended

Analyze the primary source quote from Common Sense in your own words. What does the quote mean?

“People have already died for this cause. Their blood cannot be wasted.”

Open Ended

Analyze the primary source quote from Common Sense in your own words. What does the quote mean?

“Until an independence is declared the continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity.”