US History - Standards of Learning - USI.2
http://www.crf-usa.org/Foundation_docs/Foundation_lesson_mayflower.html
In this document the Pilgrims and other members of the Mayflower organize a “civil Body Politick” in what became known as Plymouth Plantation. This self government would develop into representative government, town meeting, and other local government forms in the colonies. During our unit on the Constitution, I would have students read this document as well as other documents that helped form the principles our country is based on. I would then have the students create a graphic organizer that would show some of the documents and their influence on our government.
-Amy DuBois
Source IDTag: USI.2.001
2. Common Sense
http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/index.htm
Thomas Paine published Common Sense anonymously in January 1776 in an effort to persuade colonists to seek complete independence from Britain. The 47 page essay published in pamphlet form instantly became a best seller and was the most widely circulated political writing of that time period. Paine’s ability to speak to the common man through everyday language, playing heavily to their protestant values by relying on the Bible, is credited with stirring up revolutionary ideas and helping to pave the way for the Declaration of Independence.
In Common Sense Paine uses the pamphlet as a platform to harshly denounce the King and the government of Britain for exploiting the colonies and treating them cruelly. He claims, “The tyranny lay with the royal brute of Britain…But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families.”
Paine’s publication comes at a critical time during the Revolutionary period. Many colonists were unsure of the colonies’ ability to survive independent of British rule and were looking to make amends with the King after a series of hostile interactions. Common Sense helped to challenge the traditional and seemingly widespread notions of the colonies’ dependence on Britain. Paine’s document argues not only that America will not be weak and divided once freed from British rule as many assert, but instead will emerge as a strong, independent nation participating freely in trade with many nations and enjoying a society free from tyranny and oppression. But perhaps equally as important as Paine’s argument for complete independence from colonial rule was his firm belief in the establishment of a republican government instead of a monarchy.
Due to the nature of political pamphlets at the time, Common Sense is riddled with apparent bias. Paine is very clear in his feelings and attitudes towards the British crown and government as well as his confidence in the colonies’ survival. The majority of pamphlets were written with the explicit intent of promoting or grappling with the revolutionary ideas of the time. In addition, because of their popularity, the occupations and status of the authors could run the gamut from farmers to merchants to slave owners to lawmakers. Political pamphlets of the time offered people the opportunity to openly convey their thoughts, arguments, rebuttals and personal interpretations of important events, often times without identifying themselves as the author. This anonymity adds another level for the possibility of bias, as an author might not have to deal with backlash or consequences of an unpopular opinion.
Due to the popularity and widespread reading of Common Sense not only at the time of its printing but as well as today, its use as a primary source document in the classroom can be central in meeting the Massachusetts standards. In explaining the historical and intellectual influences on the American Revolution Common Sense had a profound influence on revolutionary thought in the colonies. While its level of impact has been debated, there is no doubt it can be a seminal document in the understanding of revolutionary thought.
In the classroom, I would start by making connections to the internet today. MySpace, Facebook and blogs allow people from all backgrounds and status to freely convey their political ideas with as much anonymity as they choose. The students will then be given quotes from Common Sense. There will be two copies of the each quote. Students will be required to read the quote and figure out what the quote means and what Paine is trying to communicate. They will then write it in their own words. Once all students have “translated” their quotes, they will keep their own paper and move around the room discussing with the students their point that Paine was trying to make. By talking to one another they will have to find their partner who has the same idea. Once they find their partner there will be posters around the room with different categories of Paine’s ideas. The students will then have to categorize where their quote belongs and go write in on the poster. The students will then look at some present day political blogs from all sides of the political spectrum. Finally as a final project the students will pair up and imagine there is a revolutionary spirit in America today. They will have to make their own political pamphlet supporting or rejecting the revolutionary spirit and use the pamphlet to explain their grievances or support.
- Alexandra Friedman
