Common Sense- Interview Activity PDF

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Date:____ Road to Independence Thomas Paine: Common Sense

Background Information: In 1775, there were mixed feelings among colonists of whether they should support independence or remain connected to Great Britain as a colony. Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense. Common Sense encouraged colonists to support breaking away from Great Britain and forming an independent nation. Thomas Paine was successful in changing the minds of many colonists about their relationship with their mother country. He converted many colonists into Patriots or supporters of independence by convincing them that they did not owe anything to Great Britain. He wrote that the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies was very much one sided and only favored Great Britain. He famously said, “TIS TIME TO PART.” Directions: Below is an interview that could have taken place between Thomas Paine and some reporters. Read the interview and answer the questions. Reporter A: Mr. Paine, congratulations on the success of your pamphlet Common Sense. It has been brought to my attention that over 500,000 copies have been sold in the past few months. Thomas Paine: Thank you, although the true success will be the independence of the 13 colonies. I myself was not looking for any recognition and that is the reason I did not put my name on Common Sense but rather wrote “by an Englishman”. Reporter B: Mr. Paine, what influenced you to write Common Sense? Thomas Paine: I was motivated by the great injustices that exist in the relationship between Great Britain and her colonies. Great Britain has been exploiting (taking advantage of) the colonies since their formation. In fact, that was the sole reason for existence of colonies in the first place. It is time to break away from Great Britain. There has never been such an important cause in our lifetime. Reporter C: Some people believe independence would be turning our backs on our mother country and we are stronger staying connected with Great Britain. What are your thoughts on this? Thomas Paine: This is absolutely false. Our relationship has kept Great Britain strong not the other way around. We can maintain our strength as an independent nation. We are much larger in size than Great Britain and can protect ourselves. We are also an ocean away from European conflict. I understand a small island being a colony, but we are continental in size. I wrote in Common Sense, “hat because a child has thrived upon milk, that is it is never to have meat.” It is time for us to have meat and thrive on our own. Reporter D: Mr. Paine, you wrote horrible things about our King in Common Sense. Is there anything you would wish to take back? Thomas Paine: Absolutely not. I said it once and I will say it again. The king is an enemy to our freedom. His power comes simply through luck because of birth. A leader should be elected by the people, not just born into power. Reporter E: Mr. Paine, can you deny Great Britain protected us in the French and Indian War? Thomas Paine: Great Britain protected us in the French and Indian War because it was in her best interest. She helps us when it helps her. And now after all her “help”, the colonies are forced to pay illegal taxes. We are being taxed without any representation in Parliament. Clearly we aren’t truly part of Great Britain, because if we were, we would be represented in Parliament. Hence, TIS TIME TO PART.

1. What reasons does Thomas Paine list for wanting to declare independence from Great

Britain? The relationship between Britain and the colonies was being taken advantage of ever since the construction of the colonies, they have shown the strength of being an independent nation, much larger nation than Britain and has the ability to protect themselves. And Lastly the king is preventing the freedom the colonies want and disapprove the idea of monarchy. 2. What is Paine’s beliefs on the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain? The relationship between the colonies and Britain is listed as being taken advantage of by resources and then Britain makes the resources into viable needs that can be sold to other countries. 3. How do you think Common Sense influenced the Declaration of Independence? You can say the Declaration of Independence included some of Paine’s writing like the 1st amendment to bear arms could be a direct reference to the paine’s writing that the colonies have the right to protect themselves. 4. Do you agree or disagree with Thomas Paine (give specific examples) I agree with Paine’s response of why he wrote The Common Sense since Britain was a super power and colonizing new lands that no spanish man or french man discovered and in those lands either stripped the land to make profits or discover new resources like Opium in China. 5. Why do you think Thomas Paine named his pamphlet Common Sense? Common Sense is defined as good sense and sound judgment in practical matters. And this common sense influenced the colonies since they had similar ideals of how british rule over their colonies. 6. What do you think was Paine’s goal for writing Common Sense? To influence the citizens of the colonies and changing minds of the loyalists to come to their side and fight the tyranny over their colonies. 7. Do you think Paine achieved his goal? Yes I believe Paine’s goal of changing and influencing people’s mind was a success and could have been a spark in people's mind to continue rebelling against Britain....