Jackson Creek Middle School
Paine and Propaganda
In chapter 5 of The American Republic to 1877 we learned that Thomas Paine was influential in convincing the colonists to support independence from Britain:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense Moved America Toward Independence
"Throughout the colonies in late 1775 and early 1776, some Americans still hoped to avoid a complete break with Britain. Support for the position of absolute independence was growing, however.
In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense that captured the attention of the American colonists. In bold language, Paine called for complete independence from Britain. He argued that it was simply 'common sense' to stop following the 'royal brute,' King George III. Paine told the colonists their cause was not just a squabble over taxes but a struggle for freedom - 'in great measure the cause of all mankind.' Common Sense inspired thousands of Americans."
| Excerpt from Common Sense: "Everything that is right begs for separation from (Great) Britain. The Americans who have been killed seem to say, 'TIS TIME TO PART.' England and America are located a great distance apart. That is itself strong and natural proof that God never expected one to rule over the other." |
 Image Courtesy of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. |
In chapter 6 of The American Republic to 1877 we learned that Thomas Paine's writings helped to boost the colonists' morale during the long, hard war:
Paine's The American Crisis Boosts America's Morale
"In early 1776, Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet titled Common Sense. The pamphlet moved many American colonists toward independence. After taking part in the retreat across New York and New Jersey, Paine published another pamphlet to help boost Americans' lagging spirits. In The American Crisis, written in December 1776, he warned: 'These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now desires the love and thanks of men and women.'
He reminded Americans that ' the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.'
Washington had Paine's words read to his troops to inspire them to continue the fight for independence. Throughout the colonies people passed copies of The American Crisis from hand to hand and discussed Paine's patriot ideas."
Excerpt from a later Crisis essay:
"That government is best which governs least."
Thomas Paine, 1737-1809
Image Courtesy of "Images of American Political
History"
Thomas Paine, the son of a poor farmer and a corset maker, was born in Therford, England. He went to school until he was thirteen years old. At thirteen he left school to help his father. In the next 24 years Paine failed in all of the jobs that he tried. Paine tried to be a corset maker, tobacconist, a grocer, and a teacher. In 1762, he was appointed as an excise tax collector. In 1774, he moved to America as a result of a meeting with Benjamin Franklin, who arranged for his move to America. He wrote for and was the editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine, a job that Franklin helped him get. Paine also served in Washington's army during the American retreat across the Jerseys. After the Revolutionary War, Paine continued to write and he had many, varied interests.
Paine wrote and published pamphlets to influence the Colonists' opinions toward independence from Britain. His pamphlets were Patriot propaganda. There was a loyalist reply to Common Sense. In March of 1776, James Chalmers wrote Plain Truth. Paine's and Chalmers' writings and responses were examples of the Pamphlet Wars that raged during that time period.
Patriot and Loyalist Propaganda
Examples of Original Propaganda
Silver Team's American Revolution Page
This
webpage was created by Tessa P., a student at Jackson
Creek Middle School
Last updated on 1/20/2004