Paine (1755) "The American Crisis" from HMH Collections 12

Paine calls the British claim of dominance “impious” (line 14) because he believes that the British

• claim a right over people that only God can have.

• want the colonists to pay church and stamp taxes.

• think that God favors the British ruling the Americans.

• hope to rule without the churches or the army.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Paine says that if freedom comes too easily, people will

• refuse to fight for it.

• underestimate its value.

• become overconfident.

• seek power over others.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Paine supports his main idea that Britain’s attempt to control America will fail by pointing out that

• America has tried to avoid war and therefore has the support of God.

• Britain has a government that is powerful enough to rule the world.

• Americans have been made to fight for the British army.

• Britain has helped the Native Americans ravage New Jersey.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RI.5.8

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.6.1

What detail supports Paine’s main idea that “Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America” (lines 47–48)?

• Children in America should be spared from fighting in wars that affect the rest of the world.

• The people in America should fight every day for freedom from Britain and encourage trade.

• America can focus on trade because it is far from the rest of the world and its wars.

• All of the counties in the nation will suffer if the fight for independence from Britain fails.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.5.1

What strong feeling does Paine try to bring out in his listeners with his appeal that “America will never be happy until she gets clear of foreign dominion” (lines 51–52)?

• pity for foreigners

• fear of other countries

• enthusiasm for the cause

• unhappiness about living in America

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Paine uses the persuasive technique of an appeal to association when he says that

• people who understand the need for perseverance and fortitude face the prospect of glory.

• God is waiting to bless the soldiers who are prepared to fight to the end of the war.

• children will have to fight in wars because their parents refused to fight in their time.

• loyalists throughout America want the independence movement to fail.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.2.8

CCSS.RI.6.5

What does Paine say will be a result if the fight for independence fails?

• overcrowded cities

• unsafe homes

• dangerous schools

• deserted barracks

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Why does Paine view the retreat that he discusses at the end of his essay as a sign of colonial strength?

• People traveled across the area proclaiming peace.

• The soldiers maintained order and protected supplies.

• The retreat showed the strength of America to the British.

• New troops were able to recover the lost land quickly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RI.5.8

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.4.5

What does tyranny mean?

• oppressive rule

• undesirable behavior

• inappropriate legislation

• dangerous circumstances

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RI.1.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Something that provides solace is

• valuable.

• frightening.

• comforting.

• painful.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RL.8.4