Title page from Thomas Paine's Common Sense, reprinted in London, England, for J. Almon, 1776. From the collections of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

CONTENTS

The next
Electronic Field Trip is

Founders or Traitors?
December 6, 2007

The most important political tract of the Revolution was written not by a lawyer or university-educated philosopher, but by a former corset maker. This tract, Thomas Paine's Common Sense, appeared in January 1776, when most Americans were hoping for reconciliation with Britain. Common Sense argued in clear and forceful language that the time had come for the colonists to declare their independence.

Learn More

On January 9, 1776, an anonymous pamphlet titled Common Sense was printed in Philadelphia. Published just as colonists learned of George III's speech proclaiming the American colonies in rebellion, Common Sense advocated America’s independence from Great Britain. The pamphlet became an instant bestseller, with several thousand copies sold within days.

Learn More

In this lesson, students examine excerpts from two pieces of persuasive writing penned by Thomas Paine in 1776, and analyze his use of facts and opinions to appeal to both the logic (heads) and emotions (hearts) of American colonists. Students then write their own persuasive paragraphs about the American Revolution, a current event, or some other topic of choice.

Learn More

Colonial Williamsburg offers a variety of quality instructional materials dealing with 18th-century life, including:

• Declaration of Independence poster
• Jefferson & Adams: A Stage Play (DVD)
• Jefferson & Adams: A Stage Play (Teacher Guide)
• Reflections on Liberty: The Thoughts of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry (DVD)

Learn More

Two new Colonial Williamsburg podcasts complement the upcoming premiere of the Founders or Traitors? Electronic Field Trip. Listen November 26 to hear the actors who portray Benjamin Franklin and John Adams talk about how they research and prepare to play the men they admire. The following Monday, December 3, hear Franklin and Adams in first person as they answer their critics and defend their incendiary views. Download the weekly podcast.

Learn More

Did you know? The National Park Service offers a teacher’s guide full of primary sources and lessons for teaching the American Revolution. "Honored Places" provides the content needed "to tell engaging stories that come alive with the diverse voices of people who participated in the American Revolution."

Learn More

—Thomas Paine, The Crisis, No. 1, 1776