Transcript Thomas Paine`s Common Sense, British vs. Colonial

The pen is mightier than the sword.
Can a writer influence people in ways that a soldier cannot?
Turning America’s Conscience
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
In 1776…
Thomas Paine writes the pamphlet
Common Sense
This pamphlet explained…
Americans should govern themselves
Ridiculed rule by kings (ie: King George III)
He wrote Common Sense in order to…
Change the minds of the colonists
Increase support for independence
The Life of Thomas Paine
1737-1809
Edited the Pennsylvania Magazine for Ben
Franklin (1774).
An early abolitionist
a person who favors the abolition of (to get rid
of) any law or practice deemed harmful to
society.
Colonial Journalism
Somewhat like propaganda
It was used to persuade people to act (or to take a
form of action).
Most writing was intended to frame
colonists’ reactions and incite their actions.
Key Goal: to demonize the enemy
All based off a specific ideology.
A certain belief system that guides an individual,
social movement, or group.
Ideology
Always represents a value system within a
social conflict.
A power issue
Works to construct a belief system that
could lead to action.
Do you think the colonists and the British
had the same or different ideologies?
British vs. Colonial Ideology
Basis of British Ideology: (their belief system)
Their ability to rule over others = a divine right
that is constructed by the monarchy.
They are the dominant power.
Independence is NOT an unalienable right.
Something that cannot be separated, given away, or
taken away.
British vs. Colonial Ideology
Basis of Colonial Ideology: (their belief system)
Colonists have the innate/natural right of
individuals to act upon their own will.
They have the right to partake in a discussion
about how they will/should be governed (which
prompted them to write a certain “dialog”).
Shown in the Declaration of Independence (T. Jefferson)
Whole ideology based on the rationale that
a man can think for himself.
Common Sense
Look at your gold sheet…
What did Paine want the colonists to do?
What would Paine say about Inglis’
arguments about commerce and British
protection?
Buying/selling goods on a large scale (ie: between
countries).
Conclusion
 During pre-Revolutionary times, we can
conclude that…
 Outsiders:
 the colonists
 Goal for Change:
 revolution/independence
 Dominant Ideology (Pre-revolution):
 British
 Early colonial journalism helped set the stage for the
American Revolution. This was mostly thanks to:
 Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
So… is the pen mightier than the sword????
An Expression of the
American Mind
The Declaration of Independence
Origin of the Declaration of Independence
 The question for the Second Continental
Congress:
Should the American colonies declare their separation
and freedom from Great Britain?
 Written by:
 Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson stated that the Declaration was intended to be
an expression of the American mind and not an original
or innovative statement (it was not just a piece or book
you would read for leisure).
Structure and Key Ideas
 The Declaration is divided into 4 main parts:
Preamble (introduction)
Natural Rights (theory of a good government)
List of Grievances (against King George III)
Resolution of Independence (reaching a conclusion)
 Declaration was based off of what idea?
 the idea of natural rights (Enlightenment)
Preamble
Explained:
The purpose of the document, which…
was to explain why the American people were
declaring independence from the government of Great
Britain.
Natural Rights
 Theory of good government and individual rights generally accepted
by Americans from the 1770s to today.
 Stresses that there are certain individual rights not granted by the
government.
 And a good government should protect/secure those rights.
 A government for the people by the people.
 If a government violates people’s rights, then the people have the
right to abolish their government and create another.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness.”
List of Grievances
Singled out King George III to represent
the actions of the British.
Gave examples of actions that:
violated the criteria for good government
justified separation from the King's bad government
and promoted the establishment of a good
government to replace it.
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by jury
Resolution of Independence
After the first three parts, the Declaration
reaches a logical conclusion.
It proclaims…
the determination of Americans to defend and
maintain their independence and rights.
“These United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be
Free and Independent States”
Ends with a pledge:
“we mutually pledge to each other our Lives,
our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”