Common+Sense+Lesson+12-13

In this class, we'll be looking at the role of propaganda and how it was used to convince colonists of the need to revolt against England rather than just seek reconciliation. Perhaps no piece of propaganda played a larger role in achieving this goal than Thomas Paine's __Common Sense__. In this class, we'll look at this work and try to figure out what made it so incredibly persuasive and whether or not Paine's arguments still hold true today.

__**Gu****iding** **Questions**__
 * Who was Thomas Paine and what particular impact did he have on the American Revolution?
 * What are the main ideas of Paine's __Common Sense__ and what impact did this work have on England's 13 American colonies?

For some background information on __Common Sense__, click here.

To start off, we'll begin by looking at his arguments surrounding the necessity for independence. To do so, we'll read excerpts from paragraphs 17 and 21-24 in Common Sense and answer some key questions surrounding the need for independence at this time.

Secondly, Paine attacks the entire institution of hereditary monarchy and its inherent unjust nature. To examine these arguments, we'll look at additional excerpts from Common Sense. Are all monarchies truly unjust? What does Paine propose as an alternative?

Finally, we will examine the impact that this pamphlet had on colonial culture at this time period. Background Information on Thomas Paine Timeline of the Events of 1775 - This has a particularly good section explaining the rationale and rejection of the Olive Branch Petition Timeline of the American Revolution - This starts in 1760 and goes through the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1791. A good, brief overview of the American Revolutionary Era. American Revolution Timeline - A much more in-depth timeline of the events, particularly immediately before the war and through the end of the fighting.
 * Supplementary Links**:

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