Common Sense and the Declaration
Common Sense and the Declaration is a Grade 5 history skill in Pengi Social Studies, Chapter 5: The Road to Revolution. Students discover how Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense convinced colonists to support independence, leading Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence with its famous proclamation of unalienable rights.
Key Concepts
Even after the fighting started, many colonists feared independence. Thomas Paine changed their minds with his pamphlet Common Sense , which argued simply that it was ridiculous for an island (Britain) to rule a continent.
Inspired by this, the Continental Congress asked Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence .
Jefferson wrote that all people have "unalienable rights" to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. He argued that if a government denies these rights, the people have a duty to overthrow it.
Common Questions
What was Common Sense by Thomas Paine?
Common Sense was a 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine arguing that it was absurd for the island of Britain to rule the continent of America, convincing many colonists to support independence.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, which stated that all people have unalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
What are unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence?
Unalienable rights are rights that cannot be taken away. Jefferson listed Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness as examples, and argued people can overthrow a government that denies them.
Why is Common Sense important in 5th grade history?
Common Sense is important because it shifted public opinion toward independence at a critical moment, making it a key cause of the American Revolution.
What does the Declaration of Independence say about government?
The Declaration states that governments exist to protect people's rights, and if a government denies those rights, the people have a duty to overthrow it.