Common Sense/Declaration of Independence

by Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine

Common Sense examines how Americans defended the right to resist unjust laws and how this right of resistance was transformed into a right of revolution. It examines Thomas Paine's views on the difference between society and government, his defense of republican government, his total rejection of hereditary monarchy, and his belief that Americans should take up arms against the English government.

The Declaration of Independence articulates the principles of the American Revolution. This program discusses natural rights, government by consent, the social contract, the difference between alienable and inalienable rights, and the right of revolution against oppressive governments.

The Giants of Political Thought Series offers an easy and entertaining way to broaden your mind and your awareness of great ideas.

Genres: History, Philosophy

Audio CD

First published November 1, 1986

About the author

Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming president in 1801, Jefferson was the nation's first U.S. secretary of state under George Washington and then the nation's second vice president under John Adams. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, and produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels. His writings and advocacy for human rights, including freedom of thought, speech, and religion, served as substantial inspirations to the American Revolution and subsequent Revolutionary War in which the Thirteen Colonies succeeded in breaking from British America and establishing the United States as a sovereign nation.
During the American Revolution, Jefferson represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and served as the second governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1785, Congress appointed Jefferson U.S. minister to France, where he served from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793. During this time, in the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party during the formation of the nation's First Party System. Jefferson and Federalist John Adams became both friends and political rivals. In the 1796 U.S. presidential election between the two, Jefferson came in second, which made him Adams' vice president under the electoral laws of the time. Four years later, in the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson again challenged Adams, and won the presidency. In 1804, Jefferson was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term.
As president, Jefferson assertively defended the nation's shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies, promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation's geographic size, and was able to reduce military forces and expenditures following successful negotiations with France. In his second presidential term, Jefferson was beset by difficulties at home, including the trial of his former vice president Aaron Burr. In 1807, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act to defend the nation's industries from British threats to U.S. shipping, limiting foreign trade and stimulating the birth of the American manufacturing industry. Presidential scholars and historians praise Jefferson's public achievements, including his advocacy of religious freedom and tolerance, his peaceful acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France, and his leadership in supporting the Lewis and Clark Expedition; they give radically differing interpretations of his views on and relationship with slavery.
Jefferson is ranked by both scholars and in public opinion among the upper-tier of American presidents.

Reviews

[George Stenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book about the history of the Revolutionary War with an emphasis on the Declaration of Independence and the effects on it by Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine.

[Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to know the history behind how our government was formed. Gave good insight into individuals also. Did you know George Washington would not accept payment for being president? He felt it was his civic duty. Do you know the difference between usurpation and tyranny; or inalienable rights and alienable rights? The Declaration was the first time the American Colonies had attacked the King, to justify their right to separate from Britain; always before, they had only protested against Parliament and how the laws were administered. I learned a lot even though this audiobook was short! (But maybe I didn't know a lot anyway!)

[Patty Marvel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a wee disappointed when this arrived from the library because I thought it would be a straight reading of Common Sense, but it actually quotes from the titular documents with commentary in between. Much of the background information can be useful as it helps the reader understand the context C.S. and Dec. of Independence were written in, I just wish the actors quoting historical figures didn't sound like they were in a Monty Python sketch.