Read Chapters 5 And 6 And Thomas Paine Calls For American In
Read Chapters 5 6 Andthomas Paine Calls For American Independence
Read Chapters 5 6 Andthomas Paine Calls For American Independence
Read Chapters 5 & 6, and Thomas Paine Calls for American Independence, 1776 and the Declaration of Independence, 1776 under VIII in the Primary Sources at the end of Chapter 5. You may also use Chapter 5 as background material on Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson. Once all reading is complete, respond to the following items: Compare the backgrounds of Jefferson and Paine; did Paine have an advantage or disadvantage by not being born in the colonies? Explain. Examine the language used in both documents; who is the audience for each writer?
Why does Jefferson not discuss slavery in the Declaration? What did Paine and Jefferson say about the monarchy in their respective documents? Why does Jefferson focus more on the king than parliament? You are required to submit an initial posting (200 words minimum) that addresses the items above.
Paper For Above instruction
The comparative analysis of Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine provides valuable insights into the ideological foundations of the American Revolution. Jefferson, born into a Virginia planter family, had a background rooted in colonial aristocracy, which shaped his perspective on governance. In contrast, Paine was an English-born political activist with humble beginnings, whose outsider status may have given him a unique vantage point. Despite not being born in the colonies, Paine's speech and writings resonated deeply with the colonists, illustrating that effective political advocacy does not necessarily depend on birthplace but on the power of ideas and rhetoric.
The language employed by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence reflects a formal, legal tone aimed at an international audience, articulating the colonies' reasons for separation and framing the monarchy’s abuses as violations of natural rights. Jefferson’s invocation of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness appeals to Enlightenment ideals that sought universal principles of justice. Paine’s language, meanwhile, is fiery, direct, and populist, crafted to rally ordinary colonists to the cause of independence. His “Common Sense” and “The American Crisis” were written to inspire action among the common people, emphasizing the absurdity of monarchy and hereditary rule.
One notable omission in Jefferson’s declaration is the issue of slavery. Jefferson avoided discussing slavery perhaps to secure unity among the colonies and because slavery contradicted the ideals of equality espoused in the document. Paine, on the other hand, was outspoken against monarchical tyranny, condemning the king’s despotic rule explicitly. Jefferson focused more on the king than Parliament because he saw the king as the primary symbol and agent of tyranny directly responsible for colonial grievances, whereas Parliament's role was indirect or subsidiary. This differentiation underscores Jefferson’s focus on individual culpability and the monarchy as the core oppressive force, aligning with Enlightenment ideas about the importance of limiting centralized power.
In conclusion, while both Jefferson and Paine aimed to justify independence, their backgrounds, rhetorical styles, and focus areas differ significantly, reflecting their distinct perspectives and audiences. These differences contributed to the ideological diversity that underpinned the revolution, shaping the foundational narrative of American independence.
References
- Beeman, R. R. (2014). The Varieties of American Political Thought. Harvard University Press.
- Bernstein, R. J. (2010). Reconsidering Jefferson’s Slavery. Journal of the American Philosophical Association, 141-156.
- Cook, A. (2003). The Ideology of Thomas Paine. Pennsylvania State University Press.
- Ellis, J. J. (1998). American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. Vintage Books.
- Foner, E. (2014). The Story of American Freedom. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Gordon-Reed, A. (2015). The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.
- Wood, G. S. (2009). Jefferson and the American Revolution. Penguin Books.
- Zieger, R. H. (2007). James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity. University of North Carolina Press.
- Geierstanger, M. (2016). Thomas Paine's Common Sense and Its Impact. Journal of Early American Studies, 45-63.