Chapter 5

Quiz for Document 5-6: Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776)

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Question 1

Why was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense more widely influential in the American colonies than documents like Richard Bland’s Inquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies?A. It emphasized opposing the monarchy rather than citing colonists’ rights.
B. It was written by a recent British immigrant, not a native-born American.
C. It was written in plain language that many could understand.
D. It stressed the need for economic as well as political independence.

Question 2

The two aspects of British government that Paine sees as foolish, useless, and evil were the monarchy andA. Parliament.
B. constitutionalism.
C. hereditary rule.
D. religion.

Question 3

What does Paine assert as the primary reason that continued connection to Great Britain would damage America’s future commercial prospects?A. America would always be politically oppressed by Great Britain.
B. Britain would continue to involve America in its continental European conflicts and wars.
C. Europe was unable to accomplish the kind of economic success as North America.
D. Spain would be allowed to block American westward expansion.