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Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine. Biography. January 29, 1737 Thetford, England Poor family Short, basic education Age 13 apprenticed to his father= corset-maker Went to sea-age 19 Customs collector in London- discharged twice First wife dies Second wife legally separate No children Unemployed and poor

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Thomas Paine

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  1. Thomas Paine

  2. Biography • January 29, 1737 • Thetford, England • Poor family • Short, basic education • Age 13 apprenticed to his father= corset-maker • Went to sea-age 19 • Customs collector in London- discharged twice • First wife dies • Second wife legally separate • No children • Unemployed and poor • Socially connected

  3. 1774-Met Benjamin Franklin in London • Franklin advises Paine to emigrate to America • Paine goes to Philadelphia

  4. Writings • The Case of the Officers of Excise • Higher wages • Co-editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine • African Slavery in America • Common Sense • American Crisis • Rights of Man • Age of Reason

  5. Common Sense • Propaganda • Pamphlet-unbound printed booklet • Independence from Britain • Strong federal united country • Attacked monarchy and inherited privilege • Widely circulated • Urged colonists to support the American Revolution

  6. “Now is the seedtime of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now, will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read in it full grown characters. “ Simile

  7. “This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still. “ Personification Metaphor

  8. American Crisis • Series of pamphlets • Encouraged the Continental Army during the worst parts of the war • George Washington reads to soldiers • Bold and clearly written

  9. American Crisis • Attacked the faint-hearted • More efficient federal and state tax system to pay for war • Declared Britain would eventually recognize American independence

  10. Life after the American Revolution • Once American gains independence, Paine leaves for Europe • Spends time trying to invent smokeless candle and building an iron bridge • Spends time in Britain and France • Works as a revolutionary propagandist for France and Britain in 1790’s

  11. Rights of Man • Most influential work • In reply to Edmund Burke’s attack on the French Revolution • Urges political rights for all men because of their natural equality in the sight of God • Only a democratic republic could be trusted to protect equal political rights for all men • Argued for a whole program of legislation to deal with the condition of the poor • Forced to leave Britain • Condemned and declared an outlaw

  12. Rights of Man • 1792- becomes French citizen • Elected to the National Convention • Not influential to the National Convention (could not speak French) • Victim to the Reign of Terror and spent time in jail

  13. The Age of Reason • Wrote while in prison • Declared that nature was the only form of divine revelation • Says God exists independently from the world and has no interest in it • Rejected Christianity • Denied that the Bible was the word of God • Condemned many of the Old Testament stories as immoral • Verbally attacked Christian churches • Preaches deism • Makes him have many enemies • Called the Atheist’s Bible by those who disagreed with him

  14. The Age of Reason • First sentence: • “I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life.” • Not considered very radical ideals today

  15. 1802- President Thomas Jefferson arranges for Paine to return to the United States • Americans resent him for his opinion on religion • Not considered a hero for his role in the American Revolution when he returns • During last years of life Paine is poor, sick, an alcoholic, and a social outcast • Dies on June 8, 1809 • Buried on his farm in New Rochelle, New York • 10 years later his remains moved to England • Location of his grave unknown

  16. All of his achievements made through his writings • Political influence was greatest in England (Rights of Man) • Caused Britain to: • eventually allow all men have an equal claim to political rights • Allow the government to rest on the ultimate sovereignty of the people

  17. Other Achievements • Soldier in 1776 • Helped create a democratic constitution for Pennsylvania • Secretary to the Congressional Committee of Foreign Affairs

  18. Study Guide Questions

  19. Synecdoche • A figure of speech when say a part meant to represent a whole • Crown= monarchy

  20. Hero of the American Revolution? • Urges Americans to support the American Revolution (Common Sense • Encourages Continental Army during the American Revolution (American Crisis)

  21. Writing Style • Use opinion • Sounds reasonable • Makes ideas more appealing by adding emotion • Takes a reasonable idea and convincingly exaggerates that idea: “The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth.” Common Sense • Revolution=great importance “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” Common Sense • Seems personal

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