Thomas Paine

Common Sense

            

       

Thomas Paine

• In early years, Paine drifted from one job to another – sailor, teacher, exciseman

• Over the years, he studied independently and learned to write.

• Became a political journalist

• In 1776, he published a pamphlet called Common Sense

Common Sense

• Most effective piece of propaganda for the colonial cause

• He argued that “common sense” showed that Americans owed NO allegiance to the English king– Said Parliament had no right to make laws for 13

colonies since they had their own elected legislatures

• He urged a complete break from England and the establishment of the American nation.

Common Sense

• Common Sense sold many colonists on the idea of a revolution

• In fact, Common Sense sold half a million copies in six months.

• Convinced Congress to create a formal Declaration of Independence– They chose Thomas Jefferson to write it.