Name Class Date THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Link to Literature Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was a political thinker and writer from England who moved to America in 1774. His most famous pamphlet, Common Sense, urged American colonists to break from Great Britain. Published anonymously nine months after the beginning of the American Revolution, Common Sense would have an enormous influence on the Declaration of Independence. Read the following excerpts from Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions that follow. Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence From Common Sense: "I have heard it asserted by some, that as America [has] flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, that the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will Thomas Paine, 000RBIS always have the same effect. Nothing can be more [decep- tive] than this kind of argument.... America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had anything to do with her... "It is repugnant to reason, to the universal order of things, to all examples from the former ages, to suppose, that this continent can longer remain subject to any external power..." Source: Common Sense, bythomas Paine. Available online at http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/paine/ CS-Frame.html. Thomas Jefferson, OBettmann/CORBIS From the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness..." Source: Declaration of Independence. Available online at http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/ charters/declaration_transcript.html. Questions to Think About 1. What central idea, or theme, is presented in both excerpts? 2. According to the Declaration of Independence, when is it the right of people to alter or to abolish government? 3. Draw Conclusions What is the relationship between Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence? Explain. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. 17
Name Class Date '1111:4VOIR! z:.e.76:1 Link to Literature It Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was a political thinker and writer from England who moved to the American colonies at the encouragement of his friend, Benjamin Franklin. While in America, Paine published several articles and pamphlets, many of them anonymously. His most famous pamphlet was Common Sense, in which he stated that monarchy was unnatural and that American colonists should break from Great Britain and build a new government based on reason, not tradition. Published anonymously nine months after the beginning of the American Revolution, Common Sense sold more than a half-million copies. As you read the following excerpts from Common Sense, think about the political ideas that circulated during the Enlightenment. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions below. Thomas Paine's Common Sense "As much [has] been said of the advantages of [settling differences with Great Britain],.. it is but right, that we should examine the [other] side of the argument, and inquire into some of the many... injuries which these colonies [endure], and always will [endure], by being connected with, and dependent on Great Britain. To examine the connection and dependence, on the principles of nature and common sense, to see what we have to [expect], if separated, and what we are to expect, if dependent. "I have heard it [stated] by some, that as America [has] flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, that the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness... Nothing can be more [deceptive] than Thomas Paine, CORMS this kind of argument. We may well assert, that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never meant to have meat... America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had anything to do with her. "But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not [eat] their young... "It is [vile] to reason... that this continent can... remain subject to any external power.... The utmost stretch of human wisdom cannot, at this time [understand] a plan short of separation..." Source: Common Sense, bythomas Paine. Available online at http://libenyonline.hypermall.com/paine/cs-frame.html. Questions to Think About 1. According to Paine, on what principles should people examine the dependence of the colonies on Great Britain? 2. To what does Paine compare the argument that, because America has flourished under British rule, it should continue to be ruled by Great Britain? 3. Draw Conclusions Many Enlightenment thinkers believed that all problems could be solved by the use of human reason. In what ways do Paine's arguments for American separation from Great Britain reflect this idea? Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. 16
Name Class '4401,-;.,444Tak,, Interpreting a Political Cartoon Three distinct positions on World War I were held by Americans. The isolationists believed that the United States should isolate itself from the war, while the interventionists thought the war did affect American interests and the United States should intervene on the side of the Allies. The third group, the internationalists believed that the United States should play a role in world affairs and work toward achieving peace, but not enter the war. As an internationalist, Wilson believed that, the United States had the right to trade noncontraband goods with all of the warring nations. Study the cartoon, and think about how the incident portrayed illustrates why the United States Senate was opposed to American intervention into World War I. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions that follow. World War I The Granger Collection, NewYork Questions to Think About 1. Who is speaking from the window? 2. What position does she likely hold regarding American intervention in the war? 3. Summarize What main point or message does this cartoon illustrate? 4. Draw Conclusions What, role might cartoons such as this have played in American citizens' views of going to war? Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. 19
Cartoon Analysis Worksheet Level 1 Visuals Words (not all cartoons indude words) 1. List the objects or people you see in the cartoon. 1. Identify the cartoon caption and/or title. 2. Locate three words or phrases used by the cartoonist to identify objects or people within the cartoon. 3. Record any important dates or numbers that appear in the cartoon. Level 2 Visuals 2. 3. Level 3 Which of the objects on your list are symbols? What do you think each symbol means? Words 4. Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the most significant? Why do you think so? 5. List adjectives that describe the emotions portrayed in the cartoon. 1. 2. 3. 4. Describe the action taking place in the cartoon. Explain how the words in the cartoon darify the symbols. Explain the message of the cartoon. What special interest groups would agree/disagree with the cartoon's message? Why?
Name Date Cl ass INTERPRETING POLITICAL CARTOONS Activity 30 (A) r-; ACHIEVING EQUALITY FOR WOMEN In modern times, the Founders of our nation have come under criticism for stating too vaguely the way in which equality would take root in the new nation. Specifically, the rights of women were largely not discussed in the Constitution. Not until the woman suffrage movement of the early 1900s did women begin to assert basic freedoms that white men had exercised since the founding of the nation. In recent years, many issues including those in the proposed Equal Rights Amendment and the "equal pay for equal work" concern remind us that the equality of women has not yet been realized. The cartoon below illustrates the cartoonist's view of the neglect of the Founders with respect to women's issues. Directions: Study the cartoon, and then answer the questions that follow. Mike Peters, reprinted by permission of UFS, Inc. (continued) INTERPRETING POLITICAL CARTOONS 59
Name Date Class ANALYZING THE CARTOON 1. Who are the men in the cartoon? 2. From what document are the men reading? 3. What does the woman scrubbing the floor symbolize? CRITICAL THINKING 4. Making Generalizations Do you see any problems in the document's wording, "All men are created equal"? Explain. 5. Analyzing Information Explain the irony in the statement, "That's beautiful Tom." 6. Demonstrating Reasoned Judgment Do you think there should be an amendment to the Constitution that specifically states women's rights? Explain your response. 60 INTERPRETING POLITICAL CARTOONS