Lecture on Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Introduction

• Discussing the influence and impact of Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense.
• Answering a previously asked question about voting methods in the Continental Congress:
  • Animated debate: population vs. property vs. one colony, one vote.
  • Decided on one colony, one vote without setting a long-term precedent.
  • Became precedent under the Articles of Confederation.

Thomas Paine and Common Sense

• Bestseller: Over 120,000 copies sold in the first few months.
• Impact: Highly influential political pamphlet of the Revolution.
• Focus of lecture:
  1. The pamphlet itself and its remarkable nature.
  2. Thomas Paine, his background, and how he came to write the pamphlet.

Life and Death of Thomas Paine

• Died poor, disliked due to his later politics.
• Wished to be buried in a Quaker cemetery; ended up on his farm in New York.
• Body disinterred, taken to England for a memorial that never materialized.
• Paine’s remains disappeared, possible relics scattered worldwide.

Characteristics of Common Sense

• Noted for passionate, simple, and straightforward style accessible to the common man.
• Questioned prevailing colonial ideas about the mother country and the colonies.

Thomas Paine's Background

• Born in England, 1737.
• Many trades, including corset-making and minor office holding.
• Met Benjamin Franklin in London, who wrote him a recommendation letter.
• Arrived in America, late 1774, introduced to Philadelphia's political scene.
• Became editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine.

Circumstances Leading to Writing Common Sense

• Inspired by events between 1775 and 1776.
• Second Continental Congress (Spring 1775):
  • No instructions for independence.
  • Focus on rebalancing within the British constitution.
• King's Proclamation (August 23, 1775) declared colonies in rebellion and planned to send British troops, including Prussian mercenaries.

Writing Common Sense

• Paine's experience in the colonies influenced his writings.
• Conversations with Benjamin Rush played a role.
• Paine tackled controversial topics like independence and republicanism.
• Published in January 1776, originally Plain Truth, renamed to Common Sense.

Main Arguments in Common Sense

1. Refutes prevailing ideas against independence.
2. Demonstrates the necessity and possibility of independence.
3. Critiques the English monarchy and monarchies in general.

• Advocates for a government based on natural rights and equality.

Reception and Impact

• Widely read, sparked extensive discussion and debate on independence.
• Sales: 125,000 copies by March 1776, unprecedented circulation.
• Criticism: Samuel Adams, English gentlemen, and John Adams found it problematic.
• Inspired colonists to rethink their loyalty to Britain.
• Elevated the conversation to independence, paving the way for future revolutionary actions.

Conclusion

• Common Sense was radical and democratising, inviting broad participation in political discourse.
• Paine’s pamphlet significantly impacted colonial sentiments and contributed to the push towards independence.

Next Week: Discussing the move towards independence.