Thomas Paine Study Notes

Overview of Course Components:
- Chronology of Thomas Paine's writing and historical context
- Readings relating to the material
- Group discussions
- Writing assignments
Assessments:
- Midterm exam or final paper (student choice)
- First paper question due September 24th, maximum of 11 pages
- Final exam scheduled for December 8th
- Final paper due as a hard copy on December 11th
- Grades based on the best 8 out of 10 assignments
- Regular quizzes included to ensure completion of readings (basic comprehension)
- Assignment schedule includes:
- Annotated bibliography due by 22nd
- Prospectus submission (due date not specified)
Attendance Policies:
- Can miss up to 3 classes with prior notification
- Points awarded for attendance
Office Hours:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays (specific times to be confirmed)
Miscellaneous:
- Course signup sheet available
- Reading through Canvas is required; no book purchases needed
- No physical class on September 10th, adjustments made for class timing
- Pop quizzes can occur without prior notice.

Life and Early Influences:
- Born January 1737, Paine had a Quaker father who was a corset maker.
- His upbringing emphasized pacifism and legal egalitarianism.
- Attended a good school in England; mother came from a prominent legal family.
- Became an apprentice to his father at the age of 12, representing a working-class background.
- Childhood experiences included witnessing public hangings, which were a form of entertainment in his community.
- Observed the corrupt political practices during his youth, notably through rotten borough elections.
- Context of life expectancy in England around this period (average lifespan: 34-40 years).
- Infant mortality rates were high, with approximately 1 in 5 children not surviving infancy; 10% of the population lived in London.
- Newspaper circulation significantly increased from 2.5 million in 1715 to 12 million by 1775.
Further Development:
- Although labeled as a poor writer, Paine produced only a few hundred pages of work compared to peers like Jefferson and Adams.
- His writings were sporadically burned, suggesting contentious political engagement.
- He was self-taught and had a curious mind, learning extensively from the Bible while calling himself an Anglican.
- In 1774, at age 39, Paine immigrated to America, having previously worked on ships during the Seven Years' War, capturing French vessels.

Political Narrative and Arguments:
- Paine's writings often critiqued government systems, particularly around the rights of poor citizens and taxation.
- His work “The Case of the Excise Officer” posits that the economic system disproportionately burdens the poor and criticizes elite reliance on taxes without addressing the causes of poverty.
- Introduces the idea of a tax system that reconciles revenue generation with alleviating poverty, considering it unreasonable to blame the impoverished for resorting to corrupt practices for survival.
- Examination of currency and tax structures:
- Conversion rates: Four farthings to a penny; twelve pennies to a shilling; twenty shillings to a pound.
Historical Context:
- By 1775, Paine had begun to doubt the reliability of the British Crown's political structure.
- He believed that taxation laws heavily benefited British citizens over colonial Americans.
- Propaganda and media played key roles in shaping public sentiment, fostering increased literacy, and a shared national identity across colonies.

Influential Literature:
- “Common Sense” and other works became catalysts for revolutionary thought within America.
- The argument for independence was not merely economic but related to national identity, fostering unity among the colonies.
- Paine emphasized the necessity for a formalized, written Constitution rather than an unwritten one, which lacked clear guidelines and accountability.
Enlightenment Thinking and Its Application:
- His alignments with Enlightenment philosophies served to elevate public discourse on rights and governance.
- The emphasis on a collective identity contrasted the individualistic views promoted by monarchies, advocating for civic engagement without property as a prerequisite.

Reception of Paine's Ideas:
- His positions garnered both acclaim and scorn, reflecting his polarizing influence during and after the revolutionary period.
- Critiques included views on the destructiveness of the mob mentality during revolutions and the essential need for reforms that respect history and gradual changes.
- In his later works, he called for 'rights of man,' emphasizing universal rights independent of government recognition.
- The 'Rights of Man' provoked a political backlash in Britain, resulting in further vilification of Paine.
Final Years and Imprisonment in France:
- The later life of Paine was characterized by opposition to established powers, leading to his imprisonment during the Reign of Terror.
- Despite witnessing the tumultuous events of the French Revolution firsthand, he maintained his conviction against monarchies and for republican perspectives.
- His imprisonment illustrated the volatile landscape of revolutionary politics—risking his life for his beliefs while enduring personal misfortune and diminishing support.
Personal Reflections:
- Despite feeling undervalued and attacked in his later years, Paine's writings remain pivotal in the discourse of civil rights and governance, influencing future generations.

Paine’s contributions reflect a deep engagement with issues of class, governance, and societal structures in both America and Europe.
His texts continue to resonate with discussions on democracy, civil liberties, and the rights of individuals.
Students are encouraged to analyze the broader implications of Paine’s work in today’s sociopolitical context, reinforcing the significance of historical perspectives on contemporary issues.