Week 1 - Common Sense by Thomas Paine
NOTE: The first page number refers to the Penguin Classics edition of Common Sense and the
second page, separated by a semi-colon, refers to the Dover Thrift edition of Common Sense. Both
editions contain the same unabridged February 14, 1776 expanded edition of Common Sense
published in Philadelphia by William and Thomas Bradford. There is no need to read the lengthy
biographical introduction. The following set of study questions is to assist you in using the recording
and reflecting methods on each principle. Answer the questions to prepare for class discussion.
1. What is the purpose of government (p. 65,68;3,5)
2. How were the elected officials to share common interests with the public? (p.67;4,5)
3. What were the three main ingredients of the English constitution and why was it a poor mixture
of political powers? (p.69;5,6)
4. How does Paine define "all men are created equal"? (p.72;8,9)
5. What form of government did the Israelites have under Moses? (p.73;9,10)
6. According to the Bible, what evils come from monarchies? Give some current examples of the
results of autocratic power. (p.74,75;10-12)
7. Give some examples of modern "priest-craft" and "king-craft". (p.76;12)
8. What type of time frame was being considered by Paine for new government?
(p.82,87,120;18,22,51)
9. Explain the mother-daughter analogy. (p.83;18-19)
10.
What was Paine's foreign policy philosophy? (p.72,84,86,95;9,19,21-22,29)
11.
Describe the providential plan of America. (p.87;22)
12.
What types of loyalists were there? (p.88;22-23) What types of motivations
today in the political parties?
13.
Why was home rule considered more favorable? (p.90;25)
14.
Describe Paine's Continental Charter. (p.96-97;30-31)
15.
According to Paine, who is the real King of America? (p.98;31-32)
are there
16.
What is the source of the desire for liberty? (p.99;33)
17.
How has America been blessed to defend herself? (p.101,103;34,36)
18.
What is the advantage of a diversity of religions in America? (p.109;41)
19.
What is the relationship between convenience and freedom? (p.110;42)
20.
Why was independence necessary? (p. 111,112;43,44)
21.
What was the vision of America's place in the world? (p.120;51)
22.
If he were here today, what council would Paine give to modern political parties? (p. 122;52-
53)