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Six months before the Declaration of Independence is written in 1776, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is published, causing a substantial amount of colonists to rebel against the British once and for all. This radical document doesn’t just sell 120,000 in a few months, it changes colonists’ thoughts and outlook regarding the British monarchy, and ultimately pushes the colonies towards independence from Great Britain. His pamphlet starts with a more hypothetical approach about government and religion, then transforms into the detailed problems between Britain and its colonies. “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” (65). Paine wants to demonstrate how society is about people coming together and …show more content…
making decisions based on the good of the nation. Government, on the other hand, is a necessary evil whose main purpose is to protect our life, liberty, and property, nothing more. He describes a fictional scenario with a group of people who are placed on an island, cut off from society, and are forced to survive. Soon enough, they will need to make laws to maintain a civilized culture. With this example, Paine reiterates the idea that people will be happier if they were allowed to make their own laws rather than having others forced upon them like Britain is currently establishing. From this example, Paine states that the British monarchy has too much power and its system is extremely complicated. It advertises a practical system of checks and balances, but realistically does not follow in the slightest bit. Paine realizes that representation, and not monarchy, is essential to the strength of the government and to the happiness of those who are being governed. Paine uses the power of religion to persuade many readers. He describes the story of the ancient Jews being the first people to bring in a King. This idea angers God, even though He still 2 allows them to have one.
Colonists of all religions are able to make a connection between God’s wrath towards the ancient Jews, and themselves if they continued to fall under the rule of the King of Britain. A majority of people who flee to the colonies are looking for religious freedom and obey God’s rules religiously (no pun intended). Evangelists believed all humans are sinful but they can be saved by divine right. Paine makes another reference to the Bible when he says, “Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do” (99). This is a reference to what Jesus says, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23: 34). Jesus’ executioners do not realize they are slaying the Son of God. Thomas Paine advises that opposing liberation is the same type of decision for Americans as killing Jesus is for his killers. The idea of hereditary succession confuses and angers Paine. If a ruler of a great nation has a son, what makes the son fit to rule? Just because he is the King's child doesn’t mean he will be a successful ruler in the future. A monarchy and hereditary succession produce nothing but bad governance, corruption, revolutions, and unnecessary
bloodshed. America has been evolving and does not need Britain’s assistance anymore. It has grown too large and complex to be controlled by such a distant nation. Some colonists believe that Britain has been protecting America while it grows, but Paine argues that Britain’s only reason for maintaining a relationship is to use the colonies for personal benefit, like keeping their economy strong and prosperous. Paine says, “Why is it that we hesitate? From Britain we can expect nothing but ruin. If she is admitted to the government of America again, this continent will not be worth living in” (106). He realizes that Britain doesn’t deserve to join into the American loyalty, and if they do not separate now, they will destroy the colonists’ freedom they so desperately want. Paine knows how important foreign relationships are with countries such as 3 Spain and France. However, the only way to make these alliances would be to cut off all ties with Great Britain and become their own country. The colonies have little to gain if they stay attached to Britain. Commerce and trade will be expanded to other nations, strengthening the nation’s economy. Staying attached to Britain will allow past problems with Britain resurface constantly. Paine creates mental pictures with his writing that allow colonists to see that a revolution is a real possibility and America would be able to prosper. On page 83 he gives a brilliant parent-child metaphor that everyone is able to understand. Paine explains that America depended on England like a child would when it was still a young and developing nation. However, now that the colonies are starting to mature, they don’t need their parents to watch over them anymore. He also describes the form of government that the colonists should adopt. He recommends a representative democracy that gives equal weight to each specific colony, stressing that the government should be one made by, and for the people. Also, he says how it is the perfect time to separate from England. The size of each colony is capable of producing enough goods to export to other countries and keep themselves afloat. The country has plenty of able men ready to fight and no national debt to worry about. The vast amount of land to the West can later be used to pay off its debt they will sustain. He believes the country could build up a navy of substantial size, which helps secure their land and their goods during trade. Also, Britain’s navy is spread out around the entire world, while all America would have to do is guard and protect the Atlantic coast. On pages 102 and 103 he even goes far enough to lay out the predicted costs of a substantial navy to provide the colonists with a visual plan rather than just saying it can be 4 done. If the colonies increase in size and the population expands, Paine believes America won’t have the same unity and drive to detach from Britain. Paine wraps up his pamphlet saying, “Until an independence is declared the continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity” (112). As long as America is still affiliated with Britain, the colonies will be considered rebels without being able to substantially create foreign alliances. America must be independent if they want to thrive and grow in the long run. Like many other examples, this quote gives the reader a real life situation that every common citizen stumbles upon at some point. The thought of procrastination is a scary idea when it comes to escaping British control, so Paine sets up an ultimatum for the people; give up the thought of compromising now, or the chance for independence will be gone forever. Paine engages his readers by addressing his questions to “you” almost as if the reader feels obligated to answer and must do something about it. For all of these reasons, Paine says it is crucial that the colonies declare independence. Common Sense was a very successful pamphlet, however not everyone agrees with the ideas Paine had for America. John Adams actually anonymously publishes a rebuttal called Thoughts On Government which argues the government structure of the new nation. Adams says, “His Arguments from the Old Testament were ridiculous, but whether they proceeded from honest Ignorance and or foolish Superstition on one hand, or from willful Sophistry and knavish Hypocrisy on the other, I know not” (Adams 2). With Paine being a Democrat, and Adams Republican, these two gentlemen were never meant to like one another. Adams believed Paine’s 5 pamphlet was an attempt to persuade the people in the colonies to choose Democratic policies when creating the American government. Paine was looking to give every American economic equality, which scared Adams because that would mean the poor and lower class would be able to hold office and make laws. Adams was correct when it came to the type of government America would instill. It needs a system of checks and balances with the three branches of government. This is the exact opposite of what Paine wants, which is a single house without any checks, and a judiciary system directly elected by the people. Paine wants America’s government to advocate its power by regulating finance throughout the states, growing public equality by law, and supporting the interests of regular, average Americans everywhere. Common Sense was read by twenty percent of the country. One reason Paine was so effective is because he didn’t follow the normal style of writing. He wrote with lots of emotion and ferocity towards England, directly denouncing King George III and Parliament. The majority of people are able to follow the pamphlet easily because he writes in a simple and plain manner to explain his position. Paine doesn’t just persuade the reader to join the revolution; he motivates and rouses them up almost if they are on the battlefield ready to charge at the British front lines. As a matter of fact George Washington would read it to his troops before certain key battles in the Revolutionary War. Overall, some people may not have agreed with Paine’s aggressive radicalism, and Thomas Paine isn’t a renowned founding father like some others, but Common Sense converted thousands of people for independence and could be the reason America is able to break free from Great Britain.
Government, according to Paine, is a means of regulating societies’ sins. By portraying “society” as a form of prosperity, the reader gains an insight into his claim. Furthermore, Paine’s interpretation of society is a means of survival, a way for people to work together and prosper. However, in order for Paine to persuade the audience he relates their reasoning. “Let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of the earth, unconnected with the rest, they will then represent the first people of any country, or of the world....
“Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices.” (Pg 2, P1) Paine states that with the society and the existence of a government, this allows the society to live happily and united. The existence of a government will also be able to control a society with rules to live by and keeping the community safe. Paine demonstrates that the existence of the government system is indeed a positive necessity to have within a
What was the common good for all Americans in 1776? Thomas Paine, a political activist during America’s struggle for independence from England, argues in Common Sense, a pamphlet published in the Pennsylvania Magazine, with the American colonists, demanding a revolt with the British crown (Thomas Paine). He passionately believes that the answer to the “…benefit of all people in [American] society” (Thomas Paine) will result from the freedom of oppression for the thirteen American colonies. Common Sense, “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”, remains noted by historians as one of the most influential pieces of literature during the era of the American Revolution
During 1776, the United States was at war to gain its own independence from the hands of the tyrant King George III and his kingdom. As the fightt continued, the spirits of the U.S. soldiers began to die out as the nightmares of winter crawled across the land. Thomas Paine, a journalist, hoped to encourage the soldiers back into the fight through one of his sixteen pamphlets, “The American Crisis (No.1)”. In order to rebuild the hopes of the downhearted soldiers, Thomas Paine establishes himself as a reliable figure, enrages them with the crimes of the British crown, and, most importantly evokes a sense of culpability.
Today America is country where everything and everyone are unique and united and unique nation make a union. Thomas Paine, an intellectual from the 18th century, wrote a famous piece called the Rights of Man where he listed points in which hold partially true and untrue today. In a passage Paine specifically wrote that are held untrue today is that the poor and the rich are treated fairly and equally, that there are no riots nor tumults, and that taxes are low for everybody. The only two statements that Paine describes the United States correctly is that the government is just and different people make it hard to form a union. Paine is trying to interpret that the country is united and just in his time and that it will continue to be like that; if Paine somehow traveled into the future and saw what America is today he might would 've not have written that passage since today there a things in America that are extremely different compared to the late 18th century.
...ined. America was damaged by the fact that the colonies did not make laws on their own accord; only legislation from the king’s decree was administered. Also, Great Britain was only a temporary guardian over the colonies and this brought a disconcerting and bleak future to America. Paine’s argument was that nothing could keep the American colonies safe from England’s unnatural government except a declaration of independence; and a continental form of government was the only avenue that kept peace. So, as Common Sense educated, America was formed on more natural principles than that of England; the colonies escaped two repulsive plights, a monarchial regime and reliance upon the deviant system. (P-94, 95)
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had a profound effect on the populace of the American colonies and contributed to swaying the general opinion towards rebellion. The colonial revolutionary outlined and listed out prominent arguments reasons for revolution, going point by point, refuting counterclaims, and “[offering] nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” in his widely distributed pamphlet arguing for the revolt against Britain (Paine 2). Based on John Locke, Paine emphasized the concepts of right of revolution and a contract between the government and people, easily convincing an already disgruntled populace of tyranny on England’s part and heightening emotions simmering under the surface. Stating that “not a single advantage is derived” from the colonial loyalty to Britain and all that is “right or natural pleads for separation” (Paine 4). Events such as the French and Indian War and the institution of new taxation in response to unrest in North America displeased the previously loyal
Paine knew he was addressing an audience unfamiliar with legal precedents so he strove for simplicity. The author knew that in this time period, many were well read when it came to the Bible, therefore, although Paine was not religious himself, he was sure to include many biblical references as evidence to support his clearly spelled out positions. Paine limited his text to solely focus on how the colonists could achieve independence from England, refusing to ever astray by discussing every possible obstacle that they may face during and before the revolution. The author began by reflecting on government and religion, he then moves to specifics of the colonial situation, only to go on to further distinguish government and society from each other, claiming that society is “produced by our wants, and government by our
... Paine holds that what he is saying is neither inflaming matters or exaggerating them. He continues to use strong words to maintain his point, declaring a government of their own is their natural right, and threatening those that would disagree with him saying they “are opening a door to eternal tyranny by keeping vacant the seat of government.” Once again revisiting his points he says that the “last cord is now broken,” between England and the colonies.
Thomas Paine begins his revolutionary book with a rant about the decision that's taxing all of the American colony: to remain under British power or to rebel for independence. Paine then accounts all of the major problems with the British political system, most importantly the method of their rulers (kings and aristocrats) gaining their power through inheritance instead of earning it through a democratic structure. With that said, Paine also considers all of the perspectives of the people who want to stay connected to the British rule. One by one, he debunks these arguments and exposes that they are nothing more than excuses made by cowards who don't want to risk their lives for freedom. In the end, Paine addresses the group of religious pacifists
In the American Revolution, the colonists had strong beliefs that the English government was unfair and often tyrannical. The Political Pamphlet, "Common Sense," published in 1776 by Thomas Paine discussed the importance of the American Revolution in straightforward language to provide a complete understanding of the relationship between colonists and England. Indeed, the "Common Sense," influenced the colonist to realize their independence. "The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of...
Often referred to as one of the unofficial Founders of America, Thomas Paine is best known for his widely read work, Common Sense, which aimed to stimulate a desire for freedom against Britain. His work sparked a desire for independence in some and became a subject of many objections to others. Two of the more important objections to Paine are regarding his idea of what government should be and his attempt to expose the deceits of revealed religion. Through the use of numerous responses to Common Sense and Age of Reason, it is evident that Paine’s simple but radical questioning of authority threatened the traditional idea of power.
The Common Sense writings of Thomas Paine offered an exigent message of enlightenment to the colonist. It was one of self-examination, to reject hereditary monarchy, and the right to engage in a revolution for democracy; as evidenced in writing, “He will not put off the true character of a man and generously enlarge his views beyond the present day”. This was his first step of reasoning to express a global view of the state of affairs.
There were many great leaders who wanted independence. However, there were many who did not want to permanently separate from Britain and some that did not want to leave at all. Once the fighting began, and then the Olive Branch rejected, the colonies reached a point of no return. Many began to lose their nerve, and many others forgetting or questioning what they started fighting for. The moral of the colonist was being weakened by the difficult task in from front of them. In January 1776, Thomas Paine wrote a 47 page pamphlet on his arguments in favor of The American Revolution. This Pamphlet helped remind the Americans of what was at stake. His pamphlet, called “Common Sense” is known as one of the most influential writings in history. In the first two weeks he had sold over 150,000 copies in both Britain and in America. The pamphlet stated two main ideas. Paine wrote about equal rights for all citizens. He believed that citizens had basic rights including the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In his second point, Paine argues against a monarchy and favors a different form of Government. He believed in a Republican Government, which is “a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them”. He believed in this form of Government
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense as a way to sway the opinions of the unacquainted crowds via mentioning England’s oppression of the colonies and the unjustly monarchy rule. “Oppression is often the consequence, but seldom or never the means of riches; and though avarice will preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him too timorous to be wealthy” (Paine p. 94). Paine was also supportive of the idea of the colonies being independent from England, “America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken any notice of her” (Paine p. 96). Ironically, Paine immigrated to the British colonies only two years before he wrote the pamphlet, but nevertheless he made his way towards the “pro-sovereignty”