THOMAS PAINE
Thomas Paine was an English American political activist, author, and political theorist. Thomas Paine was born January 29, 1737 in Thetford, United Kingdom he died January 18, 1808 in New York. His wife's name was Mary Lambert they married each other on 1759, his parents were Joseph Paine and Frances Cocke. Thomas tried apprenticing his father but failed. So now at the young age of 19 Paine went to sea. His adventure did not last long, in 1768 he found himself as a tax officer in England he again did not do so well at this job. He got discharged from his post twice in four years. In 1774 he met Benjamin Franklin in London who helped him immigrate to Philadelphia. His career turned to journalism while in Philadelphia, and suddenly, Thomas Paine became very important. In 1776, he published the article Common Sense.
Article of Common Sense
The article Common Sense was a strong defense of American Independence. It challenged the authority of the British government and the royal Monarch. The plain language that Paine spoke to the common people of America and was the first to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. The article was anonymously published on January 10, 1776. It was sold and distributed widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places. Washington had it read to all of his troops who at the time had surrounded the British army in Boston.
The article Common Sense presented the Americans colonists with and argument for freedom from the British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day. He structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people. He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity.
The article Common Sense presented the Americans colonists with and argument for freedom from the British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day. He structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people. He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity.
Thomas Paine (Early Life)
Thomas Paine received little formal education, but did learn to read, write and perform arithmetic. At the age of 13, he began working with his father as a corset maker, and he later worked as an officer of the excise, hunting smugglers, and collecting liquor and tobacco taxes. He did not excel at this job, nor at any other early job, and his life in England was, in fact, marked by repeated failures. He was born on January 29, 1737 in Thetford, United Kingdom. He died January 18, 1808 New York City. He was 74 years old. Thomas Paine died of poor health as most did.
Opinion
I think that the article of Common Sense was a great idea. It's standing up for what they believe in and showing others that they don't have to back down that they do have an opinion and that they should speak it. It truly did challenge the British Governments authority and the Royal Monarch. It really took them by surprise that Thomas Paine wrote this article it was just so blunt. Even though Thomas Paine did fail various times it is great that he kept trying. He was a very successful man, considering how many times he failed.
Questions
1. What year and city did Thomas Paine die in?
A. January 18, 1809 in New York City
B. December 9, 2013 Salt Lake City
C. July 7, 2001 Oklahoma City
D. August 15, 2053 Denver City
2. What did the article of Common Sense challenge?
A. The American Government
B. The Americans opinion
C. Thomas Paine's opinion
D. The authority of the British Government and the Royal Monarch.
A. January 18, 1809 in New York City
B. December 9, 2013 Salt Lake City
C. July 7, 2001 Oklahoma City
D. August 15, 2053 Denver City
2. What did the article of Common Sense challenge?
A. The American Government
B. The Americans opinion
C. Thomas Paine's opinion
D. The authority of the British Government and the Royal Monarch.