from “The American Crisis: Number 1”

1. from “The American Crisis: Number 1” by Thomas Paine An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot. - Thomas Paine

2. First a journal . . . Your journal should be 6-8 sentences long! Think about a time when you had to put aside personal feelings and make a sacrifice for a common cause – kind of like a time when you had to “take one for the team.” Write about the following: when do you think it is right to put aside personal feelings and make sacrifices? When should a person take a stand and stay strong and NOT make sacrifices and put him/herself first?

3. First, who is Thomas Paine? (1737-1809) Thomas Paine was a Founding Father, the philosopher of the American War for Independence, and a true revolutionary. His essays and pamphlets, especially Common Sense, noted for its plain language, resonated with the common people of America and roused them to rally behind the movement for independence. Following the American Revolution, Paine immigrated to Europe where the British government declared him an outlaw for his anti-monarchist views, and where he actively participated in the French Revolution.

4. First, who is Thomas Paine? • Born January 29, 1737, Thetford, Norfolk, England • Moved to Philadelphia in 1774 • Became editor Pennsylvania Magazine in 1775 • Published American Crisis I, the first of 16 American Crisis papers, in 1776. This work contains the famous line, "These are the times that try men's souls.“ • Congress appointed Paine its Secretary to Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1777 • Returned to Europe in 1787, dividing his time between England and France • Returned to New York in 1802 • Died June 8, 1809, New York City • Buried on his farm in New Rochelle, New York • Paine's remains were lost in an ill-conceived effort to inter him in England in 1819

5. This piece is about sacrifice . . . Do you feel like people today are willing to make dramatic sacrifices for the greater good? What motivates them to make sacrifices? What are some techniques that would help people to take action? What would you need to be told to get you to “join in a fight”?

6. For Homework: Read the essay from “The American Crisis Number 1” and answer the questions. Be sure you read carefully! In this persuasive essay, Paine urges the colonists to renew their struggle against Britain.  He argues that no prize worth fighting for is easily won and that the British objective is nothing less than the enslavement of the colonies.  War for independence is inevitable, he insists, and only a selfish Tory father would leave it for his children to fight.  Pain goes on to compare King George's actions to those of a common burglar and insists that that the colonists refuse to accept any reconciliation with him.  To do so would invite the destruction of their society at the hands of the Indians, the British army, and German mercenaries.  Thus, the colonists must act now to ensure a "glorious issue" to the conflict.

7. You will find the essay on our documents page! And a link on our main ENH 111 page!Your work is due Wednesday!

8. The text can be found on page 471 in your blue book!  Quick Hint: This piece can be hard to read through, but look at your questions as you go! The questions go in order and should help you with your understanding. 