"Working a powerful change": Tom Paine: how did a poor immigrant from Britain become a powerful voice for American independence?* Objective * Realizing that Americans did not all agree about the ideal of independence. * Word to Know * try (as in "try men's souls"): test the powers of endurance, of self-control. * Before Reading In the early days of the American Revolution American Revolution, 1775–83, struggle by which the Thirteen Colonies on the Atlantic seaboard of North America won independence from Great Britain and became the United States. It is also called the American War of Independence. , many colonists were undecided in the reconciliation or independence debate. Paine made a significant impact on public opinion toward the latter. Reading prompt: Why is Tom Paine considered one of America's Founders? * During Reading (1) In Paine's time, authors of political statements published them anonymously or under pseudonyms This article gives a list of pseudonyms, in various categories. Pseudonyms are similar to, but distinct from, secret identities. Artists, sculptors, architects
(2) Common Sense was America's first best-seller, but Paine made no money from it. He refused copyright, preferring that it be republished and spread to as many Americans as possible. * After Reading * Debate: Was Tom Paine an Englishman or an American? Explain. * Discuss: If Common Sense had argued against independence, do you think it would have caught on the way it did? Why or why not? * Keep It Going Read and discuss the "Eyewitness An individual who was present during an event and is called by a party in a lawsuit to testify as to what he or she observed. The state and Federal Rules of Evidence, which govern the admissibility of evidence in civil actions and criminal proceedings, impose requirements " feature on the back cover. RESOURCES * INTERNET * Liberty! The American Revolution. Includes chronology, interactive game, and teacher resources. pbs.org/ktca/liberty * Thomas Paine. Brief bio set to music. youtube.com/watch?v= ezUSUhZ2RSo * Quote by Thomas Paine. A teen's school-project video. youtube.com/watch?v= vXm0JN3?3oc * BOOKSHELF * Thomas Paine, Kate Davis (Thomson Gale (Thomson Gale, a Thomson Learning business, Farmington Hills, MI, www.gale.com). A leading information publishing company for libraries, schools and businesses. Thomson Gale was formed in 1998 as a merger of Gale Research, Information Access Company and Primary Source Media, three Thomson , 2002). Bio plus history of the American Revolution. Grades 5-2. * DVDs/VIDEOS * Founding Fathers (DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. ). History Channel documentary. (A&E Home Video, 2001). PROLONGUE Prologue pro·logue also pro·log n. 1. An introduction or preface, especially a poem recited to introduce a play. 2. An introduction or introductory chapter, as to a novel. 3. An introductory act, event, or period. narrator NARRATOR. A pleader who draws narrs serviens narrator, a sergeant at law. Fleta, 1. 2, c. 37. Obsolete. : People sometimes call the American Revolution the "War for Independence." That is what it became, but it didn't start that way. The first shots of the Revolution were fired at Lexington and at Concord, Massachusetts Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2000 Census, the town population was about 17,000. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature. , on April 19, 1775. By then, tensions between Britain and its 13 American Colonies The American Colony was a Christian utopian society that formed in Jerusalem in 1881, as well as the eponymous modern neighbourhood where they lived. Overview Moved by a series of tragic losses, Chicago natives Anna and Horatio Spafford led a small American contingent in had been building for more than a decade. Many colonists resented high taxes and restrictive laws placed on them by Britain's Parliament and King George King George has referred to many kings throughout history. When used, by Americans, without further reference it most often means George III of the United Kingdom, against whom the Whigs of the American Revolution rebelled. III. Some colonists called for a complete break from the Mother Country. But many others only wanted Parliament to pass fairer laws and allow colonists the same rights as other British citizens. Then came Common Sense, the work of a newcomer to the Colonies named Tom Paine. One of the most influential political statements ever written, it convinced many thousands of Americans that nothing less than independence would do. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SCENE 1 Narrator A: Thomas Paine is born in Thetford, England Thetford, England could refer to
Tom Paine: Father, how can you stand this? Day after day, nothing but drudge work. Joseph Paine: This is what puts bread in our mouths and a roof over our heads, boy! Tom: We work like dogs, yet we're still poor. I hear that in the Colonies, a man can better his lot. Joseph: You're an ingrate! Corset-making was good enough for my father and grandfather, and it's good enough for us. Now get back to work. Narrator B: After six years of making corsets, young Tom can bear no more. He leaves home and begins a succession of jobs: as ship's crewman, tax collector, schoolteacher, and shopkeeper. He doesn't last long in any of them. SCENE 2 Narrator C: In 1774 in London, Paine meets Benjamin Franklin, the famous American civic leader, publisher, scientist, and inventor. Franklin encourages him to make a new start in America. Narrator D: That September, Paine sails to the Colonies Reaching Philadelphia in November, he soon gets a job as editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine. The magazine thrives. For the first time in his life, Tom Paine is a success. But in April 1775 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jabez Wiggins: Mr. Paine, my ma doesn't like me working for you. She says your ideas are too radical. Paine: My articles against slavery and for women's rights The effort to secure equal rights for women and to remove gender discrimination from laws, institutions, and behavioral patterns. The women's rights movement began in the nineteenth century with the demand by some women reformers for the right to vote, known as suffrage, and upset people. Folks tend to be afraid of new ideas "New Ideas" is the debut single by Scottish New Wave/Indie Rock act The Dykeenies. It was first released as a Double A-side with "Will It Happen Tonight?" on July 17, 2006. The band also recorded a video for the track. . Constance Wiggins (running in): Have you heard the news? British troops fired on Americans at Lexington and Concord Noun 1. Lexington and Concord - the first battle of the American Revolution (April 19, 1775) Lexington, Concord American Revolution, American Revolutionary War, American War of Independence, War of American Independence - the revolution of the American . We're at war! Paine: I'm not surprised. Tempers began to rise as the King sent more and more soldiers into our cities and towns. It was only a matter of time before fighting would break out. Constance: Pa says that now the King will see we're serious about getting our rights as British citizens. Paine: But you've never been outside of Philadelphia! You're American, not British. The only way we'll get our rights is as an independent nation. Narrator E: Some Americans want independence. Others want reconciliation with Britain. Most aren't sure which they want. Losing patience with their uncertainty, Paine takes up his pen. SCENE 3 Narrator A: On January 10, 1776, Paine publishes a 50-page pamphlet called Common Sense. In just a few months, more than half a million copies are sold. Throughout the Colonies, Americans debate Paine's call for independence. Mrs. Tyler: Breaking free of Britain would be like abandoning 13 infants in a wilderness. How could they survive without the wisdom and strength of their parents? Mr. Berry: What's wise about Britain's taxing us to death? As for strength, the British use theirs against us in battle! Miss O'Hare: Listen to this. [reads from Common Sense] "Britain is the parent country, say some. Then ... shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour de·vour tr.v. de·voured, de·vour·ing, de·vours 1. To eat up greedily. See Synonyms at eat. 2. To destroy, consume, or waste: Flames devoured the structure in minutes. their young, nor savages make war upon their families." Mrs. Tyler: Where do you stand on Common Sense, Mr. Cresswell? Nicholas Cresswell: I think it's one of the vilest things that ever was published] It is full of false representations, lies, and treason treason, legal term for various acts of disloyalty. The English law, first clearly stated in the Statute of Treasons (1350), originally distinguished high treason from petit (or petty) treason. Petit treason was the murder of one's lawful superior, e.g. . Miss O'Hare: It isn't treason if we aren't part of Britain. Besides, Parliament is too far away to govern us effectively. Cresswell: Another silly Paine idea? Mr. Berry: It's just common sense! [reads from the pamphlet] "They cannot govern us. To be always running 3,000 or 4,000 miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, [will soon] he looked on as folly and childishness. There was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease." Cresswell: Absurd! Miss O'Hare: Splendid! Narrator B: Even George Washington has heard of Paine's work. Writing to a friend from his army camp, he remarks ... George Washington (in a letter): My countrymen, ... [long attached] to royalty, will come reluctantly into the idea of independency.... [But] by private letters which I have lately received from Virginia, I find Common Sense is working a powerful change in the minds of many men. SCENE 4 Narrator C: In June 1776, Congress asks Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. Common Sense is one of his inspirations. That July 4, Congress adopts the Declaration. Narrator D: Paine joins Washington's army. He is with them during a low point in the struggle for independence. After losing several major battles, the army makes a desperate retreat from New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. through New Jersey. Washington fears that desertions and a lack of new recruits will spell defeat. But Paine's passion for the cause hasn't dimmed. He realizes that he has more to say to the American people An American people may be:
Constance: What's this, Mr. Paine? Paine: My new pamphlet, The American Crisis. Constance (reads): "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from Verb 1. shrink from - avoid (one's assigned duties); "The derelict soldier shirked his duties" fiddle, shirk, goldbrick avoid - refrain from doing something; "She refrains from calling her therapist too often"; "He should avoid publishing his wife's the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." Paine (reads the next line): "Tyranny ... is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." Narrator E: The American Crisis becomes as popular as Common Sense. Washington finds it so inspiring, he orders it read to his troops on Christmas Eve. Aide (reads): "Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it." EPILOGUE ep·i·logue also ep·i·log n. 1. a. A short poem or speech spoken directly to the audience following the conclusion of a play. b. The performer who delivers such a short poem or speech. 2. Epilogue narrator: On December 26, 1776, Washington's men won a surprise attack on the enemy at Trenton, New Jersey. The victory inspired many American soldiers to re-enlist, and was an important turning point in the war. America's Revolution ended with Britain's surrender in 1783. Four years later, Paine went to France as a revolution erupted there. He wrote two more influential essays, The Rights of Mon and The Age of Reason. For all his gifts as a writer, Paine had no talent for diplomacy. He became known as a troublemaker. When he died in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of in 1809, one obituary said, "He had lived long, did some good and much harm." But today, historians recognize Tom Paine's great contributions to the birth of a new nation. Though he is rarely counted among America's Founding Fathers, Paine's powerful words set him among the heroes of the fight for independence. Characters Tom Paine Joseph Paine, his father * Charlotte Smith, bakery owner * Jabez Wiggins, 15, a printer's apprentice *Constance Wiggins, 14, his sister * Mrs. Tyler } neighbors of Nicholas Cresswell * Mr. Berry } neighbors of Nicholas Cresswell * Miss O'Hare } neighbors of Nicholas Cresswell Nicholas Cresswell, a resident of Virginia George Washington, General of the Colonial Army Aide to General Washington Prologue narrator Narrators A-E A-E, AE above-elbow; see under amputation. Epilogue narrator * An asterisk (1) See Asterisk PBX. (2) In programming, the asterisk or "star" symbol (*) means multiplication. For example, 10 * 7 means 10 multiplied by 7. The * is also a key on computer keypads for entering expressions using multiplication. indicates an imaginary person. All others were real people. Words to know * corset corset, article of dress designed to support or modify the figure. Greek and Roman women sometimes wrapped broad bands about the body. In the Middle Ages a short, close-fitting, laced outer bodice or waist was worn. By the 16th cent. : a stiff, tight-fighting undergarment designed to compress and narrow the waist. * pamphlet: a long essay or article, published unbound unbound said of electrolytes, e.g. iron and calcium, and other substances which are circulating in the bloodstream and are not bound to plasma proteins so that they are available immediately for metabolic processes. See also calcium, iron. , often intended to influence readers' ideas. * Parliament: the lawmaking law·mak·er n. One who makes or enacts laws; a legislator. Also called lawgiver. law  mak body of Britain's government.
* radical: far from the center of public opinion; extremely different from the norm. * reconciliation: the re-establishment of a close relationship after a disagreement. To Americans, Tom Paine was a heroic figure. But in Britain, the land of his birth, he was seen as a traitor TRAITOR, crimes. One guilty of treason. 2. The punishment of a traitor is death. . This British cartoon portrays Paine with a pen in one hand, a dagger in the other, and a bundle of weapons on his back. Paine's writings are ridiculed as "Common Nonsense." The cartoonist implies that Paine is a dangerous man, whose writings will lead to rebellion, murder, and treason [betrayal of one's government]. Why do you think Britain was so hostile to Paine? NORTH AMERICA North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. 1775 This map shows Britain's Colonies the year the American Revolution began. The population was about 2.5 million; one fifth were slaves of African descent. [Indians were not counted.] On July 4, 1776, these 13 Colonies became the original American states. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] QUESTIONS 1. Why isn't Maine counted as one of the Colonies?-- 2. Who lived just west of the Proclamation Line?-- 3. How many people were slaves in 1775?-- 1. It was part of Massachusetts Colony. 2. Indians 3. about 500,000 (one fifth of 2,500,000) Think About It 1. Why did many colonists think of themselves as British citizens? 2. Do Paine's ideas still seem radical? Why or why not? |
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