Common Sense Revolution: 134-142

T-Paine!

Your reading opens in early 1776, when the rebellion was still contained in New England. It is really important to remember that not everyone in the colonies was a revolutionary, especially during the early phases of the war. Keep that in mind as you answer these questions:

1. "Why did Americans continue to deny any intention of independence"? That is to say, why were many American leaders eager to frame the Boston rebellion as a misunderstanding, and not reflective of a broader movement? What are some things that changed public opinion in favor of separation? (Two part question.)
2. What is republicanism (you should already know this)? Did everyone share Paine's vision of a republican society? Why or why not?
3. Why is the Declaration of Independence referred to sometimes as the "explanation" for independence?
4. What arguments did Jefferson set forth in the Declaration?
5. What impact did the Declaration have, at home and abroad?
6. Who was a typical Loyalist, and who was a typical Patriot (meaning what kinds of people would be one or the other, occupation, background, etc).
7. What did you learn in the section "Patriots and Loyalists" that changed your understanding of the Revolutionary War, and of American History in general?