Thomas Paine's Common Sense - 5 Minute History - Brief Summary

Summary

Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense,' published in 1776, was a pivotal document that swayed the American colonies towards full independence from Britain. Paine argued against hereditary monarchy and for elected leaders, influencing the colonies to embrace independence as their future. Its accessible writing style and revolutionary ideas played a significant role in the eventual drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

Takeaways

• 📚 'Common Sense' was written by Thomas Paine and published in early 1776, becoming a key document that inspired the American colonies to fight for independence.
• 🏛️ At the time of its publication, the colonies had been in revolt against England for about nine to ten months, and there was a significant debate over whether to pursue full independence or improved representation within the British political system.
• 🤔 Thomas Paine was born in England and had a diverse background, including careers in the naval trade and teaching, before moving to the American colonies in 1774 on Benjamin Franklin's encouragement.
• 📰 Paine took a job as an editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine, where he was influenced by the British treatment of the colonists and developed strong views against England.
• 📜 'Common Sense' was published anonymously, with Paine hiding his name, and its central thesis was that the colonies needed independence, not just better representation from the British government.
• 👑 Paine argued against the idea of hereditary kings, stating that rulers should be chosen by the people, and he famously wrote, 'Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.'
• 🏛️ The pamphlet is divided into four sections: the origin and design of government, monarchy and succession, thoughts on the present state of American affairs, and the present ability of America.
• 🌳 In the third section, Paine emphasized that independence was crucial for America's future and not just partial representation.
• 💪 The fourth section, 'On the Present Ability of America,' argued that the colonies had the natural resources and growing population to sustain themselves as an independent country.
• 🌐 'Common Sense' was a huge success, influencing the majority of colonists in favor of full independence and ultimately contributing to the decision to write the Declaration of Independence five months later.

Q & A

What is the significance of 'Common Sense' in the context of American history?

'Common Sense' is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that played a crucial role in inspiring the American colonies to fight for their independence. It was published in early 1776 and argued for the necessity of full independence from England, rather than seeking improved representation within the British political system.

What was the situation in the American colonies prior to the publication of 'Common Sense'?

Prior to the publication of 'Common Sense', the American colonies had been in revolt against England for about nine to ten months. The First Continental Congress had met in the summer of 1775, where George Washington was appointed as the general of the Continental Army. There was a significant debate over whether to pursue full independence or to seek improved representation within the British system.

Who was Thomas Paine and what was his background before writing 'Common Sense'?

Thomas Paine was born in England and had tried various careers, including the naval trade and teaching. He met Benjamin Franklin in London, who encouraged him to move to the American colonies. Paine arrived in 1774, just two years before the revolution, and took a job as an editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine. He was inspired by the British treatment of the colonists and began to form harsh views of England.

Why did Thomas Paine decide to write 'Common Sense'?

Thomas Paine was convinced that he needed to write 'Common Sense' in early 1776. He believed that the colonies needed independence, not just improved representation from the British government. He also argued against the idea of hereditary kings, advocating that rulers should be chosen by the people.

What was the structure of 'Common Sense' and how was it divided?

'Common Sense' is an 80-page pamphlet divided into four sections. The first section is titled 'Of the Origin and Design of Government', where Paine argues for the importance of elections. The second section, 'Of Monarchy and Succession', criticizes hereditary kings. The third section, 'Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs', emphasizes the need for independence. The final section, 'On the Present Ability of America', argues that the colonies are capable of sustaining themselves as an independent country.

What is one of Thomas Paine's most famous lines from 'Common Sense'?

One of Thomas Paine's most famous lines from 'Common Sense' is: 'Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.' This line encapsulates his belief in the value of an honest individual over hereditary rulers.

What was the impact of 'Common Sense' on the American colonies?

The pamphlet 'Common Sense' was a huge success and pushed the majority of colonists in favor of full independence. It was written in an accessible style and was widely published in newspapers throughout the colonies. Its impact was significant in swaying public opinion towards the idea of independence.

How did 'Common Sense' influence the Second Continental Congress?

Five months after 'Common Sense' was published, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Largely due to the popularity of Paine's pamphlet, they decided to write the Declaration of Independence, officially stating their desire to break away from England.

What was the global political context during the time of 'Common Sense'?

At the time of 'Common Sense', England was the biggest world power, having just won a major war against France. Every country in the world was under some form of monarchy. Thomas Paine's call for independent elections was a bold and forward-thinking idea that challenged the status quo.

Why was Thomas Paine's argument for independence considered radical at the time?

Thomas Paine's argument for independence was considered radical because it went against the prevailing system of monarchies worldwide. His ideas challenged the established order and proposed a new form of government where rulers were chosen by the people, not born into power.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to 'Common Sense'

This paragraph introduces the historical context and significance of Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'. Published in 1776, the document played a pivotal role in inspiring the American colonies to fight for independence. It highlights the ongoing debate among the colonies about whether to pursue full independence from England or to seek improved representation within the British political system. The paragraph also provides a brief background on Thomas Paine, who was born in England and moved to the American colonies in 1774 after encouragement from Benjamin Franklin. Paine's experiences and observations of British treatment of the colonists led him to write 'Common Sense', advocating for independence and challenging the concept of hereditary monarchy.

Keywords

💡Common Sense

Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in early 1776. It played a pivotal role in swaying public opinion in the American colonies towards seeking independence from Britain. The pamphlet is concise, only 80 pages long, and was written in a style that was accessible to the common people. Paine's argument was that the colonies needed independence rather than improved representation from the British government. This pamphlet is a central theme in the video as it discusses its content and impact on the American Revolution.

💡Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine was the author of Common Sense and a key figure in the American Revolution. Born in England, he moved to the American colonies in 1774 after encouragement from Benjamin Franklin. Paine's background and his experiences in the colonies influenced his strong views against British rule, which he expressed in Common Sense. His writing was instrumental in shifting the debate towards full independence, as opposed to seeking better representation within the British political system.

💡Independence

Independence is a central theme in the video and in Paine's Common Sense. It refers to the colonies' desire to break free from British rule and establish their own government. Paine argues that the colonies should not seek improved representation within the British system but should instead pursue full independence. This idea was revolutionary at the time and was a major factor in rallying support for the American Revolution.

💡Continental Congress

The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the thirteen American colonies that met in the summer of 1775. It was during this congress that George Washington was appointed as the general of the Continental Army. The congress is significant in the video as it sets the stage for the political and military actions that would lead to the American Revolution and the eventual drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

💡George Washington

George Washington is mentioned in the video as the general of the Continental Army, appointed by the First Continental Congress. His leadership was crucial in the American Revolutionary War. Washington's role is an example of the military preparations that were underway in the colonies, reflecting the growing tension and the move towards armed conflict with Britain.

💡Monarchy

Monarchy is a form of government where a single person, usually a king or queen, holds supreme authority. In the video, Paine criticizes the idea of hereditary kings, arguing that rulers should be chosen by the people. This critique is a key part of Paine's argument in Common Sense, where he challenges the legitimacy of the British monarchy and advocates for a government chosen by the people.

💡Representation

Representation in the context of the video refers to the colonies' desire for a voice in the British government. Paine argues against the idea of seeking improved representation within the British system, instead advocating for independence. This debate over representation versus independence was a central issue in the colonies leading up to the American Revolution.

💡Hereditary Kings

Hereditary Kings refers to the practice of passing the title of king or queen from one generation to the next within a family. Paine criticizes this system in Common Sense, stating that it is not the best way to choose leaders for a government. He argues that leaders should be elected by the people, reflecting his belief in democracy and the importance of merit over birthright.

💡Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a document that was drafted by the Second Continental Congress in 1776, largely influenced by the ideas presented in Paine's Common Sense. It declared the thirteen American colonies' independence from British rule. The video discusses how Common Sense helped to sway public opinion in favor of independence, ultimately leading to the drafting of this historic document.

💡Pennsylvania Magazine

The Pennsylvania Magazine is where Thomas Paine worked as an editor when he first arrived in the American colonies. His experiences and observations in this role, particularly his views on how the British were treating the colonists, influenced his writing of Common Sense. The magazine served as a platform for Paine to develop and express his revolutionary ideas.

💡British Rule

British Rule refers to the governance of the American colonies by the British government. In the video, Paine's experiences with British rule in the colonies led him to form harsh views of England and ultimately to write Common Sense. The pamphlet was a direct response to the perceived injustices of British rule, advocating for the colonies to break free and establish their own government.

Highlights

Common Sense was published in early 1776 and inspired the colonies to fight for independence.

The colonies had been in revolt against England for about nine to ten months before the publication.

The First Continental Congress met in the summer of 1775 and appointed George Washington as the general of the Continental Army.

There was a debate in the colonies over whether to pursue full independence or improved representation within the British political system.

Thomas Paine, born in England, moved to the American colonies in 1774 after encouragement from Benjamin Franklin.

Paine took a job as an editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine and developed harsh views of England due to their treatment of the colonists.

In early 1776, Paine wrote Common Sense, arguing for the colonies' independence rather than improved representation from the British government.

Paine hid his name from the publication, emphasizing the importance of the ideas over the author.

Common Sense argues that rulers should be chosen by the people and not be hereditary.

The pamphlet is only 80 pages long and is considered a pamphlet, divided into four sections.

The first section, 'Origin and Design of Government,' argues that elections represent the people.

The second section, 'Of Monarchy and Succession,' criticizes hereditary kings and praises the value of honest individuals.

Paine's famous line: 'Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.'

The third section, 'Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs,' emphasizes the necessity of independence for America's future.

The fourth section, 'On the Present Ability of America,' argues that the colonies have the resources and population to sustain themselves as an independent country.

Common Sense was a huge success, pushing the majority of colonists in favor of full-on independence.

The pamphlet was written in an accessible style and was widely published in newspapers throughout the colonies.

The idea of independence was not obvious at the time, as England was the world's leading power and other countries were monarchies.

Five months after Common Sense was published, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and decided to write the Declaration of Independence.

Transcripts

hi everybody let's take a look at common

sense written by thomas paine it was

published in early 1776 and it's one of

those key american documents that would

inspire the colonies to fight for their

independence

now before we dive into the author or

even the document itself let's take a

look at some of the background that led

to its publishing and the first thing to

keep in mind is that the colonies had

been in revolt against england for about

nine ten months at this point and the

first continental congress had met in

the summer of 1775 and that's where they

had appointed george washington as the

general of the continental army and the

key thing to keep in mind is that

there's still this really big debate in

the colonies and it is over do we go for

full independence against england or do

we go for improved representation within

their political system at the time and

people are kind of split in arguing

about this

and so enter thomas paine who is going

to

change this conversation or this debate

and a quick little background on thomas

paine himself he was actually born in

england

and he tried a variety of careers

growing up from

the naval trade to teaching and it

wasn't until he met ben franklin one

time when ben franklin was visiting in

london

and franklin actually encouraged him to

come to the colonies and so thomas payne

moved to the american colonies in 1774.

and this is only about two years before

the official revolution is about to

start

and when he arrives he arrives when

they're in the midst of this revolt and

he takes a job as an editor of

the pennsylvania magazine

and he's really inspired by how the

british are treating the colonists and

he begins to form these really kind of

harsh views of england itself

and so in early 1776 he's convinced he

needs to write this and he writes common

sense

and when he publishes it he actually

hides his name from the publication

and his overall thesis and common sense

is that the colonies needed independence

not improved representation from the

british government

and also this idea of a king as a leader

that's ridiculous rulers should be

chosen by the people and it shouldn't be

hereditary

common sense is only 80 pages long and

it's actually kind of considered a

pamphlet and thomas paine broke it into

four different sections and the first

section was called origin and design of

government

and here he makes the case that

elections are the right thing for all

governments because they represent the

people

in the second section it's titled of

monarchy and succession

and here's where he makes that argument

that hereditary kings are not the way to

go for governments and he has probably

one of his most famous lines of the

whole document

of more worth is one honest man to

society and in the sight of god than all

the crowned ruffians that ever lived

essentially saying

one honest worker is worth more than all

the kings who have ever lived in history

the third section is called thoughts on

present state of american affairs and

here's where he emphasizes independence

that is the key to america's future here

not partial representation

and in the fourth and final section

titled on the present ability of america

he emphasizes the colonies are more than

capable on their own with all their

natural resources and the growing

population to sustain themselves as

their own country and finally let's take

a look at the impact of common sense

this pamphlet is a huge success and

pushes the majority of colonists in

favor of full-on independence

it was written in a style that was very

easy for everyone to understand and

publish the newspapers throughout the

colonies it was very forward thinking

for the day we take the idea of

independence as the obvious choice back

then but it wasn't so simple

england was the biggest world power of

the day they had just won a major war

against france that solidified their

power around the world and independence

would be no easy thing against them

also

every country in the world at this time

is on a monarchy of some type when

thomas payne is sitting here calling for

independent elections it was very brave

thinking

however its biggest impact

five months after it was published the

second continental congress met in

philadelphia and largely because of its

popularity

they decided to write the declaration of

independence stating their desire once

and for all to break away from england