Author & Context
This famous pamphlet was written by Thomas Paine
What is Common Sense
Paine argued that the colonies should become this?
What is independent
Common Sense helped change this?
What is public opinion
A government ruled by a king or queen?
Why did plain language make Common Sense so effective?
What is because more ordinary colonists could understand and discuss it
This is the year Common Sense was published
What is 1776
Paine believed that the government should exist to do this?
What is protect the rights of the people
Many colonists who were unsure became more supportive of this?
What is independence
Power passed from parent to child is called this?
What is hereditary rule
Why was criticizing the king considered risky?
What is because it challenged British authority and could be viewed as treason
Paine wrote in this style so ordinary colonists could understand him?
What is plain, simple language
Paine argued this system gave too much power to one person?
What is a monarchy
The pamphlet spread quickly because it was written in what type of language?
Simple/Everyday Language
Breaking away from another country to govern yourself is called this?
What is independence
Why did Common Sense spread so quickly?
What is because colonists shared, discussed, and reprinted it
This was Paine's main goal?
Paine believed people should choose leaders instead of inheriting power through this?
What is birth family
This document was written only months after Common Sense?
What is The Declaration of Independence
The people a writer hopes to persuade is called this?
What is the audience
What is its influence on colonial thinking
Paine believed this type of government was unfair because power was inherited instead of earned?
What is a monarchy (hereditary monarchy)
According to Paine, waiting longer would only make this more difficult?
What is gaining independence
Instead of speaking only to wealthy leaders, Paine wrote to these people?
What is ordinary colonists?
To convince someone to believe or do something is called this?
How did Common Sense prepare colonists for the Declaration of Independence?
What is by persuading many people that independence was necessary before Congress actually declared it