Thesis on "Creating Demand for Revolution Thomas Paine's Common Sense"

Quoted Instructions for "Creating Demand for Revolution Thomas Paine's Common Sense" Assignment:

please use chapter 5 and 6 of your textbook. The American people : Creating a Nation and a society 7th edition Author: Nash, Jeffrey, Frederick, Davis...

and one other source, i will email some info, i will not email the chapters from the book.

Creating Demand for Revolution: Thomas Paine*****s Common Sense

Learning Objectives:

*****¢ To reflect on the ways that Paine*****s Common Sense might have influenced the decisions of delegates to the Second Continental Congress.

*****¢ To reflect on how the events during the revolutionary period influenced both patriots and loyalists.

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 ***** 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.

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.

This activity invites you to read excerpts of Common Sense and other primary documents. Paine's words will help you better understand the mood of those living in the American colonies on the eve of the American Revolution and the ways that freedom became defined in the American experience.

Writing Assignment Activities:

Step One: Understanding the biographical background of Thomas Paine and the historical context that prompted him to write Common Sense.

Tasks:

1. Read chapter 5 and 6 of your textbook. The American people : Creating a Nation and a society 7th edition Author: Nash, Jeffrey, Frederick, Davis...

2. Learn more about the reasons why many colonists were reluctant to proclaim independence (loyalists) and others were supportive of independence (patriots).

3. Make notes on your findings.

Step Two: Evaluating the expressed ideas of Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Tasks:

1. Read selected Primary Documents (posted under Week Four)

2. Consider the impact and possible response of Paine's writing on workers and small farmers in the American colonies as well as the reasons Loyalists were against the Revolution.

3. Make notes on your findings.

Step Three: Reporting your findings. Write a two-three page typed LETTER to your cousin.

Assignment Criteria: Be sure to include the following considerations in your letter:

1. A clear statement or summary of Paine*****s arguments

2. An understanding of at least two concrete historical reasons your *****cousin***** a loyalist who lives in Virginia was reluctant to break with England.

3. An understanding of at least three events or people (for example, Boston Tea Party, Sons of Liberty, etc.) that led you, a Bostonian tavern owner, to support the American Revolution.

4. All papers must be typed, approximately 1000 words, 1 inch margins, 12 point font double spaced and submitted letter style with appropriate date, salutation, etc. Submit letter as Word documents through Blackboard email. Type in Midterm assignment in subject, save your file as MT_your last name (for example MT_Valdivia) and cut and paste a copy of your letter into the email itself.

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. As residents of Boston you and your customers have also experience first hand a number of events that have led many to question British rule.

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?

Step Four: Reflecting on this activity. Answer the following prompts to evaluate this activity. Please use complete sentences in paragraph format, include specific examples to support you opinions and submit this with your letter on a separate paper.

1. Examine the ways that assuming the role of a colonist in 1776 deepened your understanding of the Revolutionary Era.

2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the activity. What might you suggest to improve this activity?

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