Tasks:
- Today, we are going to take a look at two documents that represent "expressions of the American mind" in 1776. Both Paine and Jefferson make an argument for independence, our task is to figure out what is embedded in that argument.
- Task #1: Identify the characteristics of republic/republicanism.
- Citizens willingly subordinate private, selfish interests to common good
- Stability of government depended on "virtuous" citizens
- selfless
- self-sufficiency
- courage
- civic involvement
- emphasize individual talent over hereditary, hierarchical, and authoritarian institutions
- government official derive their just powers from consent of the governed
- Task #2: Analysis of Common Sense.
- Small group answers the following questions:
- What are the reasons that Paine lists for why Americans should declare independence?
- What makes Paine's ideas radical?
- How do Paine's ideas compare to Jefferson's?
- Task #3: Analysis of Declaration of Independence
- Small group answers the questions:
- What is Jefferson's thesis?
- What evidence does Jefferson use? Why does Kennedy make the claim that Jefferson takes "certain liberties" when constructing his argument?
- What are the lasting legacies of the document.
Reminders:
- Use the link to post your topic selection, which is due 9/25.
- Quiz on the acts from Chapter 7 Friday 9/25.
- Be able to define and connect the acts together.
- Acts to review: Proclamation Line, Stamp Act, Quartering Act, Declaratory Act, Townshend Duties, Tea Act, Intolerable Acts
- Period Two test corrections due 10/8.
