Chapter 8

Making the Argument for Independence: Paine and Jefferson

Should we stay or should we go?

– Americans continued to believe they were a part of a transatlantic community

– Colonial unity was poor– Open rebellion was dangerous– As late as January 1776 the king’s health was

being toasted—”God save the king.”

• They gradually were shocked into recognizing the necessity to separate.

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Thomas Paine & “Common Sense”

– One of the most influential pamphlets ever published

– Within a week the astonishing total of 120,000 copies were sold.

– By the signing of the Declaration of Independence 6 months later 1 out of every 5 colonist had read it

– Written as an emotional appeal to the “Common Man”

Thomas Paine & “Common Sense”

• Read Common Sense: "Thoughts on the Current State of America Affairs"

• What arguments does he make to convince the common man?

• How does he make an emotional appeal?

IV. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense (cont.)

• Paine tried to convince the colonists that their true cause was independence rather than reconciliation with Britain.

• Paine could thus be said to have drafted the foundational document not only of American independence, but of American foreign policy as well.

Thomas Paine & “Common Sense”

• Paine was calling for a republic:– Common Sense begins with a treatise on the nature of

government– He calls for the creation of a new kind of political

society where power flowed from the people themselves

– Greece and Rome revived in the 17th century Renaissance

– Republicanism appealed to British politicians critical of excessive power in the hands of the king and his advisers

Enlightenment Ideas

VI. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence

• On June 7, 1776, fiery Richard Henry Lee of Virginia moved that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states.” The motion was adopted a month later on July 2, 1776.– The passing of Lee’s resolution was the formal

“declaration” of independence by the colonies– Technically this was all that was needed to cut

the British tie.

VI. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence (cont.)

• An inspirational appeal was needed:– To enlist other British colonies in the Americas – To invite assistance for foreign nations – To rally resistance at home.

• Congress appointed a committee to prepare a more formal statement:– The task of drafting it fell to Thomas Jefferson– He was fully qualified for it.

VI. Jefferson’s “Explanation of Independence (cont.)

• The Declaration of Independence– Formally approved by Congress on July 4, 1776– It had universal appeal by invoking the “natural

rights of humankind—not just British rights– He argued that the king had flouted these rights

the colonists were justified in cutting their ties– He set forth a long list of the presumably

tyrannous misdeeds of George III– The Declaration had a universal impact.