Thomas Paine
Definition
Thomas Paine was an English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theorist who wrote influential pamphlets at the start of American Revolution including "Common Sense".
Analogy
Consider Thomas Paine as the hype-man of the American Revolution. Just like a hype-man gets the crowd excited at a concert, Paine's writings got colonists fired up for independence.
Related terms
Enlightenment: A philosophical movement in 18th century Europe that emphasized reason and individualism over tradition.
Patriot: A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.
Republicanism: An ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic under which the people hold popular sovereignty.
"Thomas Paine" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (7)
- Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense was most instrumental in....
- How did the point of view in Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" pamphlet influence colonial attitudes towards independence?
- How does Thomas Paine's audience affect his arguments in "Common Sense"?
- What principle did Thomas Paine argue for in his pamphlet "Common Sense"?
- How were the political ideas of Thomas Paine in "Common Sense" different from those of John Locke?
- How might colonial resistance to British rule be different if Thomas Paine had never written "Common Sense"?
- Why did Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" have such a significant influence on revolutionary sentiment?
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