Adams political family

Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. Writing in clear and persuasive prose, Paine marshaled moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for egalitarian government.

George Washington > Quotes

• “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
• “It is better to be alone than in bad company.”
• “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
• “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.

“Give me liberty or give me death”, “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!” It is amazing how many famous quotes came out of the American Revolution.

As George Washington said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” Freedom of speech has been a basic freedom of our country since it was organized. It lets us express our thoughts, opinions, and beliefs as we choose.

Deeds, not Words

Famous Jefferson Quotes

• Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
• Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
• Never spend your money before you have it.
• Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.
• Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
• We never repent of having eaten too little.

Jefferson’s Hope for the French Revolution He believed the French Revolution was directly inspired by the American Revolution, which ended only a couple years before. It is likely that Jefferson foresaw a similar end result: he hoped France would become a liberal democracy along the lines of the United States.

Jefferson also felt that the central government should be “rigorously frugal and simple.” As president he reduced the size and scope of the federal government by ending internal taxes, reducing the size of the army and navy, and paying off the government’s debt.

Jefferson and his followers favored states’ rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. They believed that a powerful central government posed a threat to individual liberties. They viewed the United States more as a confederation of sovereign entities woven together by a common interest.