Common Sense
Brief biography
Thomas Paine’s life started in January 29, 1737 in the town of Thetford, County Norfolk. Joseph Paine and Frances Cocke were the parents of Thomas Paine and they both wanted him to become something in a higher profession other than to follow his father’s trade. With this intention, his parents made a sacrifice to enrolled Paine into the local grammar school at the age of six in hopes of him becoming a lawyer or a doctor but unfortunately, Paine dropped out of school later on in the years to follow his father’s trade. Paine didn’t do so well at that either and he experimented with other jobs such as a privateer, an excise, and finally a journalist. Paine became an important figure publishing many of his works including “Common Sense”, an influential piece that pushed for independence, which was published in 1776 and followed by “The American Crisis”. Later in his lifetime, he was arrested for not supporting the execution of Louis XVI and was put away in jail for some time. However, Paine escaped the Guillotine with the help of James Monroe and returned to the Colonies after being invited by President Jefferson. On June 8, 1809, he died at the age of 72 in New York.
England & the Colonies
During the 1770’s leading up to the Declaration of Independence, there were many conflicts within the nation of America and also conflicts with the Great Britain. There was the Olive Branch Petition which was brought together by the Continental Congress to be sent to the king as an act of reconciliation. It was disregarded by the king and no action was taken. Another event that happened was the war between the colonists in Boston. The British troops marched to concord with orders to “seize arms being stockpiled there.” (Give Me Liberty, 192) Later, the Second Continental Congress gives permission to start an army that would be led by George Washington and the Congress printed money intended for the army. Britain sent thousands of troops to the colonies after
Thomas Paine’s life started in January 29, 1737 in the town of Thetford, County Norfolk. Joseph Paine and Frances Cocke were the parents of Thomas Paine and they both wanted him to become something in a higher profession other than to follow his father’s trade. With this intention, his parents made a sacrifice to enrolled Paine into the local grammar school at the age of six in hopes of him becoming a lawyer or a doctor but unfortunately, Paine dropped out of school later on in the years to follow his father’s trade. Paine didn’t do so well at that either and he experimented with other jobs such as a privateer, an excise, and finally a journalist. Paine became an important figure publishing many of his works including “Common Sense”, an influential piece that pushed for independence, which was published in 1776 and followed by “The American Crisis”. Later in his lifetime, he was arrested for not supporting the execution of Louis XVI and was put away in jail for some time. However, Paine escaped the Guillotine with the help of James Monroe and returned to the Colonies after being invited by President Jefferson. On June 8, 1809, he died at the age of 72 in New York.
England & the Colonies
During the 1770’s leading up to the Declaration of Independence, there were many conflicts within the nation of America and also conflicts with the Great Britain. There was the Olive Branch Petition which was brought together by the Continental Congress to be sent to the king as an act of reconciliation. It was disregarded by the king and no action was taken. Another event that happened was the war between the colonists in Boston. The British troops marched to concord with orders to “seize arms being stockpiled there.” (Give Me Liberty, 192) Later, the Second Continental Congress gives permission to start an army that would be led by George Washington and the Congress printed money intended for the army. Britain sent thousands of troops to the colonies after
References: Liell, Scott. 46 Pages. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Running Press , 2003. Print. Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty. 3rd Edition. 1. New York, New York: W.W Norton & Company, 2012. Print.