10. Common Sense

The American Revolution (HIST 116)

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.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction: Voting on Voting
01:40 - Chapter 2. On Paine's Burial
05:52 - Chapter 3. Colonial Mindset during the Second Continental Congress
12:28 - Chapter 4. Serendipity and Passion: The Early Life of Thomas Paine
21:53 - Chapter 5. Major Arguments and Rhetorical Styles in Common Sense
33:45 - Chapter 6. Common Sense's Popularity and Founders' Reactions
39:16 - Chapter 7. Social Impact of the Pamphlet and Conclusion

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2010.