Thomas Paine: The Common Sense

1. Thomas Paine: The Common Sense By: Karina Rosales

2. Background Information • Born in Norfolk on January 29, 1737 • His father, Joseph, was a poor Quaker corset maker who tried to provide his son with an education at the local grammar school.

3. Tragedies • In 1760, he first wife, Mary Lambert, died in early labor and their child did not survive. • In 1771 he married again to his second wife. He was legally separated from his second wife in 1774. • He was a bad shopkeeper. Paine was discharged from his duties for having absented himself from his post without leave.

4. Moving On… • In London he met Benjamin Franklin who helped him to emigrate to America in October 1774. • Paine settled in Philadelphia were he became a journalist • “January 10, 1776, he published a short pamphlet, Common Sense,which immediately established his reputation as a revolutionary propagandist.” • encouraging Patriots to declare independence from Britain in July 1776

5. The American Dream • “Paine was convinced that the American Revolution was a crusade for a superior political system and that America was ultimately unconquerable.” • “Thomas Paine encouraged the belief that Britain would eventually recognize American independence.” • “Paine committed himself to the cause of American independence.”

6. Pennsylvania Journal • Paine continued to write essays in the Pennsylvania Journalunder the heading “Crisis,” where Paine campaigned for a more efficient federal and state tax system to meet the costs of war.

7. The Rights of Man • After the War ended Thomas Paine moved to France where he wrote The Rights Of Man influenced by the French Revolution. -Part I in 1791, Part II in 1792). • In Part I, Paine urged political rights for all men because of their natural equality in the sight of God In Part II, Paine urged the legislation to help the poor people.