HIST 116: The American Revolution
Lecture 10 - Common Sense. This lecture focuses on the best-selling pamphlet of the American Revolution: Thomas Paine's Common Sense, discussing Paine's life and the events that led him to write his pamphlet. Published in January of 1776, it condemned monarchy as a bad form of government, and urged the colonies to declare independence and establish their own form of republican government. Its incendiary language and simple format made it popular throughout the colonies, helping to radicalize many Americans and pushing them to seriously consider the idea of declaring independence from Britain. (from oyc.yale.edu)
| Lecture 10 - Common Sense |
| Time | Lecture Chapters |
| [00:00:00] | 1. Introduction: Voting on Voting |
| [00:01:40] | 2. On Paine's Burial |
| [00:05:52] | 3. Colonial Mindset during the Second Continental Congress |
| [00:12:28] | 4. Serendipity and Passion: The Early Life of Thomas Paine |
| [00:21:53] | 5. Major Arguments and Rhetorical Styles in "Common Sense" |
| [00:33:45] | 6. "Common Sense's" Popularity and Founders' Reactions |
| [00:39:16] | 7. Social Impact of the Pamphlet and Conclusion |
| References |
| Lecture 10 - Common Sense Instructor: Professor Joanne Freeman. Transcript [html]. Audio [mp3]. Download Video [mov]. |
Go to the Course Home or watch other lectures: