One of the key questions historical criticism attempts to answer is what does the history of the period tell us about the people

true?
or
false?

True.

Explanation:

The term historical criticism can be defined as a branch of criticism that researches the origins of ancient texts. The reason to do so is to understand what was happening behind and around the text. It is also known as the historical-critical method. Due to this, the answer is true.

paine is arguying that they had tried everything before coming to the conclusion that they needed to fight for their freedom.

argument: "every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual."

claim 1: "our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us, that nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in kings more than repeated petitioning and nothing hath contributed more than that very measure to make the kings of europe absolute."

claim 2: "wherefore, since nothing but blows will do, for god’s sake, let us come to a final separation, and not leave the next generation to be cutting throats, under the violated unmeaning names of parent and child."

answer:

a. "there, said he, there is something for you."

explanation:

"said he" should not have been part of what is in the dialogue.