US History Common Sense Urgent

READING QUESTIONS FOR PAINE’S COMMON SENSE

Please answer the following questions, using complete sentences. Type your responses (single-spaced is fine).

Answers must completely and directly address the questions. Use evidence from Paine’s text, such as examples and direct quotes, to support your points. (When you include ideas and/or exact words and phrases from the text, you need to cite page numbers from our edition of Common Sense in parentheses at the end of your sentences.)

For historical background and context, be sure to read Chapter 5 in the textbook, particularly pp.152-153. If you use any information from Foner, be sure to cite him in your answer.

This assignment is worth 75 points towards your course point total.

(Important: Only use our edition of Paine’s document, and Foner’s textbook, to answer the questions. Do not use outside sources, and do not plagiarize. Plagiarized work will lead to a score of “zero” for the assignment.)

DUE DATE: MARCH 2 (Wednesday of Week 5 on our Schedule) at the beginning of class.

PLEASE NOTE: You must submit both a print copy in class AND an online copy on our Blackboard by the above due date. The link you will use to upload your answers, titled “Common Sense Assignment: Submit Answers Here,” is located in the Assignments folder.

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1. How does Paine define these terms: "nature," "natural rights," "reason"? If he does not explicitly define those terms, how does he use them in his argument? What are man's "natural rights," according to him?

2. What does Paine think of government? What effect does it have on society?

3. What specific points does Paine raise to argue against hereditary succession?

4. According to Paine, what are the common arguments made in favor of reconciling with England? How does he respond to these arguments?

5. What is the "plan" of Americans, according to Paine (21)? How does he use this "plan" as a way to argue for breaking with Britain?

6. How does Paine envision an independent America being governed? How accurate is he in his predictions?

7. Why, according to Paine, must the colonies act now for independence? What specific reasons does he give?

8. How would you characterize Paine's rhetorical style in Common Sense? What words would you use to describe the tone of his writing? Find specific evidence in the text to support your view.

9. Locate points in Paine's writing where he employs humor and satire. What do you think Paine's intent was to include such humor? Do you find it effective, reading it today?

10. Common Sense was immensely popular when first published in 1776, and read by colonists of various backgrounds and classes. Imagine the reception that different readers of the pamphlet gave to Common Sense. What type of reaction might, for instance, a wealthy Virginia planter have had to Paine's argument? Would it have radically differed from that of, say, a New England fisherman, or a merchant in New York? Or, do you imagine they all responded in a similar fashion to what Paine had to say?