Thomas Paine Common Sense Essay

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

In Thomas Paine’s Common Sense he starts off by arguing for American Independence. Paine’s argument starts with more general, theoretical argument reflections about the government and religion, and then he goes onto the specifics of the colonial situation. Paine had a really strong purpose, which was to convince people that independence is a must. He knew that the ideas he was bringing forth people would reject because they were so new. He wanted the people to clear their minds of the long- held notations, apply common sense, and adopt the cause of America. The setting took place during the American Revolution before December of Independence.

Pain begins by telling the difference between government and society.

“And as a man, who is attached to a prostitute, is unfitted to choose or judge of a wife, so any prepossession in favor of a rotten constitution of government will disable us from discerning a good one.” To Paine, society is everything constructive and good together to be able to accomplish.

But, government on the other hand, is an institution whose main purpose is to protect us from our own vices. Pain goes into depth about how the government is in the evil of man, so therefore it is evil at its best. Paine says that “government’s sole purpose is to protect life, liberty, and property, and that a government should be judged solely on the basis of extent to which it accomplishes the goal.”

Paine argued and felt that man, was born into a state of equality, and the distinction that has arisen between king and subject is an unnatural one. Paine argues that Britain did bad things and opposed Americans unfair taxes. “Colonies have little to gain from

Britain,” says Paine. He felt the people worshiped the English government, but they are a sham. So, just like they would cut ties with abusive parents, they should break free from Britain. Paine said “they had little to gain from attached to Britain, but only after they become independent.” He felt the people didn’t have to suffocate under brute tyranny. Paine argued that Britain is a monarchy and monarchies are dumb. “It’s like one man rules all, “said Paine. He felt that way because monarchies equal hereditary rule which goes to the king kids rule. Why should someone lead over you because he or she is someone’s child? This leads to another problem, what if the king’s kids are incompetent or evil. “But Where, says some, is the King of America? I’ll tell you my friend; he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain.” So, why would America want to be subject to this? “A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.” He wanted the people to know the monarchy they admire is not their protector it is their enemy. This is exactly why he wanted the people to clear their minds and apply common sense, so that they could see this reasoning too. “I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and common sense, “said Paine.
Paine thought it was crazy to think they should remain loyal to a distant tyrant. It’s damaging to you to go after reconciliation. He was trying to tell the people they cannot go back to the way things were before the Stamp Act because those cozy days are over. He felt so strongly about that because they were already at war. America must separate from Britain, it’s only right. “Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavored to subdue us, is of all others, the most important to defend us.”
America can win this war. “From the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom.” Paine felt that way because of the Patriotism and heart that they have. Because they were so small at the time he felt that if they got together then they could be united, but if they were to let the colonies grow that same feeling of unity would not be present. Therefore, they needed to make a move now. America had a deeper reason to win because they were fighting for their rights, independence, and their liberty. Even though the American military wasn’t experienced in this, they had a lot of heart that could pull them through. They needed a Continental navy and if they had a navy like their Continental Army then they could fight Britain on their terms. He gives this inventory of the British navy and then gives calculations showing how America could build a navy to a comparable size to beat Britain. America has a large coastline and a big country. They could use the vast expanses of uncharted land to the West in order to pay down some of the debt they will gain. So, it would be harder because the British would fight a war far from home and that would be an objective for them. We have resources, but we would need to make sure Britain doesn’t use them. Even though it seemed impossible for America, our fight which is our rights that we have beats might’s. So, he felt they needed to declare independence because if they do they would be able to ask for the help of other countries. If they delay, it will be much harder to win. Paine knew the prospect was daunting, but the prospect inaction is terrifying. It was just up to America to see it the way he was. “Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer..”
My reaction to Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was that it was a great book.

I think that he is right. I think this because during that time people were so small minded. And what I mean by small minded is that whatever someone would tell them they would just go along with it. They weren’t really taught to think for themselves. They just knew if someone was in charge you go along with what they’re saying whether they knew if it was right or wrong. The people’s minds weren’t clear and like Paine said he wanted the people to clear their minds of anything they were told or knew and apply common sense. I really agreed with him on those points. Paine was definitely right because the people didn’t know anything else besides what they were told by the people who were in high positions like government. They automatically assumed people in government are right and they know what they’re talking about, but honestly a lot of the people who were in government didn’t know much itself, but what they did know was very corrupt. And that’s what Paine wanted the people to see, these people in government or high positions have corrupted your mind to thinking their way is the only way and what they have taught you is the only way. They honestly saw the people in the colonies as fools, and stupid because how easily they could get them to believe whatever they say and go along with it. That’s why Paine felt they needed to be able to see this for them before it’s too late to do something about the

problem. I honestly don’t think that Thomas Paine was wrong during this time because at the time the colonies were broken up and he wanted them to see the bigger picture. He wanted them to see what they were capable of as human beings even though the odds were against them at the time. It’s very hard to change anyone’s perception of something, but I think that Paine did a good job of trying to express to the people how important applying commons sense and opening their eyes and minds were. I ultimately agree with Paine, I feel like if I were there during that time I would have been like him trying to get the people to see through my perception. This book is important because still to this day we struggle with clearing our minds and applying common sense and seeing that as a nation we are capable of a lot. We don’t have to believe everything that the people in higher positions tell us because it’s not always right and most of them don’t have common sense. So, I ultimately agree with Paine. Others should read this book because to me I feel like something’s he says can be applied to us today. Paine was definitely not a fool and he was very wise. If people read this book and clear their minds and forget what they know I think that they could see it through Paine’s perception and it would make a lot of sense to them like it did to me. This was definitely a great read, and I would recommend to others.