Background & Basics
In what year was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense published?
1776
According to the worksheet's vocabulary, what does the word quarrel mean?
What is a fight?
According to the worksheet's vocabulary, what does the word commerce mean?
What is trade?
According to the worksheet's vocabulary, what does the word folly mean?
What is foolish?
What 1765 act placed a tax on all printed materials in the colonies, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards?
What is the Stamp Act?
What was the main purpose of the pamphlet Common Sense?
What is to persuade American colonists to support independence from Great Britain?
Name the two countries Great Britain protected the American colonies from
Who are France and Spain?
What core American crop does Paine say will fetch its price in any European market?
What is corn?
How far away is Great Britain from the American colonies according to Paine's estimate?
What is 3,000 to 4,000 miles?
What famous slogan was chanted by colonists who believed Britain shouldn't tax them without giving them a voice in Parliament?
What is "No taxation without representation"?
What major historical event followed the publication of Common Sense?
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Did Great Britain protect the colonies out of affection or self-interest, according to Paine?
What is self-interest (protecting their own economic interest/trade)?
What does Paine mean when he says America would have flourished even if no European power had anything to do with her?
What is America's trade goods are necessities of life, so America would have grown and thrived on her own?
How long does Paine say colonists must wait to get an answer to a single petition sent to Britain?
What is four or five months?
What were the laws passed by Britain in 1767 that taxed everyday imported items like glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea?
What are the Townshend Acts?
How did Thomas Paine argue for independence in his writing style and message?
What is by criticizing the British monarchy/government, using straightforward language, and advocating for self-governance?
Why did countries like France and Spain become enemies with the American colonies?
What is because the colonies were subjects of Great Britain during Britain's conflicts?
According to Paine, what is the main plan for ensuring peace and friendship between America and all of Europe?
What is commerce (trade)?
Why is Britain incapable of governing the American continent properly?
What is... it is too distant and ignorant of American needs?
What set of harsh laws did Britain pass to punish Boston following the Boston Tea Party?
What are the Intolerable Acts (or the Coercive Acts)?
Why was Thomas Paine’s pamphlet so significant during the American Revolution?
What is it united and influenced many American colonists to take action and support independence?
Complete this quote: "France and Spain never were, nor perhaps ever will be, our enemies as Americans, but as..."
What is "...our being the subjects of Great Britain"?
Why does Paine argue that it is in all of Europe’s interest to have America as a "free port"?
What is because all European countries would benefit economically from accessing American resources?
Complete Paine's famous rule about ruling from a distance: "If they cannot conquer us, they cannot..."
What is "...govern us"?
What 1773 act granted a British monopoly on trade in the colonies, leading directly to a famous protest in Boston Harbor?
What is the Tea Act?