Similarities Between Declaration Of Independence And Common Sense

Having looked at the content of both the Declaration of Independence and Paine’s “Common Sense”, the following similarities can be made. First, it is without doubt that these documents were both written with the same purpose such being to evoke in the colony the attitude to go towards independence and in doing so, both outlined clear reasons the severing of ties with the mother land was necessary. Second, in both cases, the equality of man was highlighted as stable grounds for the cause. A third similarity is the fact that both were written in the same time frame being only months apart.

Nevertheless, like any two things, there are also some differences between the Declaration of Independence and the Paine’s “Common Sense”. In this regard, the first thing to note is that the two

were written to two separate audiences. Paine’s Common Sense was written to the open colony while the Declaration was written to the Monarch of England and by extension Europe with whom allies would have been needed to help in the fight for independence. Second, the tone of the two were different this as the former (Common Sense) was very critical, extremely persuasive and informative whereas, the latter while also persuasive, was more contemplative and pensive. A possible reason for this could be that Paine’s work was the first and as such, he wanted to ensure that what he was saying was understood clearly so as to evoke the response he desired hence, simplicity so that the normal man could understand it. One the other hand, the Declaration was written upon commission and was to be used as a legal document and as such, the rhetoric was chosen that speaks to the intended audience showing competence and political will. A third difference was the diction which, in the case of “Common Sense” was simple and clear enough for all to understand while, the diction of the “Declaration of Independence” was more formal. In addition, the “Declaration of Independence” also differs in that it was much shorter than Common Sense and less detailed. Both however, are without doubt powerful documents.
Like any good literature, both documents have had countless reviews over the centuries.

Many historians and documenters see the Declaration of Independence as the most important document in American History. For Aaron Sorkin, it was the best piece of writing he has ever seen; Richard Slotkin from Wesleyan University saw it as a revolutionary document for a revolutionary time and, Tom Brokaw from NBC News believed no one can read the words of the declaration and not be stirred. They went on to call the declaration the forming of a philosophical basis for any civil democracy and lauded those responsible as prodigies who were capable of foreseeing a new period for human kind (www.history.com). Columbia electronic encyclopaedia stated that;

“The Declaration of Independence is the most important of all American historical documents. It is essentially a partisan document, a justification of the American Revolution presented to the world; but its unique combination of general principles and an abstract theory of government with a detailed enumeration of specific grievances and injustices have given it enduring power as one of the great political documents of the West.”

(www.infoplease.com)
From these two sources and many speakers, it can be reasoned that the Declaration of Independence was seen as a document whose importance to the world was transcending. Such thought evident as the Declaration to date is taught to Americans very early in life and its principles a guide to how America conducts itself.
As it relates to, “Common Sense” the website Archiving Early Americans refer to it as, “By far the most influential tract of the American Revolution positing that it remains one of the most brilliant pamphlets ever written in the English language”. The website also opined that it was an early best –seller which brought the rising revolutionary sentiment into sharp focus by placing blame for the suffering of the colonies directly on the reigning British monarch, George III and, stirred the colonists to strengthen their resolve, resulting in the first successful anticolonial action in modern history.