Putting Your Common Sense to Good Use
In my seventy-two years upon this Earth, I have had a multitude of experiences that no other man has had the opportunity, or misfortune of. I have travelled round the world and lived through the independence movements of two nations. I penned one of the most well-known pamphlets of the era leading up to the American War for Independence. I barely escaped death in France for my lacking of support to kill the current king of France (“Thomas Paine”). And it is from these times that I have learned a great deal about what is truly important to achieve a better nation, as well as a more prosperous life as an individual. I hope to further educate readers from my life experience as to what might better their time
…show more content…
“I look into the various denominations among us, to be like children of the same family, differing only in what is called their Christian names” (Paine: “Common Sense”, 43). We all worship our God in different ways, but in the end, it is the same God to which we pray. Every man may have his opinion on what he thinks is true, and he has every right to tell others. But this man has no place to tell another that his religion is wrong. We are all God’s children, and need to respect and treat each other as such. I once stated that, “For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others forever” (Paine “Common Sense”, 16). No man was born into this world above another. Ranking was put into place to belittle others, which only gave more power to the strong. In a thriving society each and every member is important, and necessary to the growth of the community. I know that we all need to agree to support the equality for others, lest they will never receive the chances we are blessed with (Philp). No man is strong enough to take on the challenge of becoming equal alone. Because of the way of the world, we were blessed with the “right” to be on top. It is now our duty to society to bring up everyone else as well, helping them battle their way to the equality that we take for granted. Equality helps the every growing society to …show more content…
My intent of penning this manifesto was in hopes to inspire others to continue on with what I had done, as well as improve upon my ideas to continue to make better lives for all. It is necessary to remember that by enlightening others of the opportunities for growth in these issues, that a greater self and society can be accomplished. The legacy I pray to leave behind would be one of great inspiration to others. I wish to not only empower them to follow the path that I took in my life, but to increase the prosperity of it. Throughout my life, I faced a great deal of trials and tribulations. I lived in three countries, each with a number of successful adventures, as well as utter failures. I have endured a great deal of adversaries, in which I hope that you gain knowledge without having to repeat mistakes I created in the past. I wish you great luck in your endeavors to better your world by using the words I have provided. But lest not forget your Common
Just as a child may go on to become a powerful and independent adult, the 1790-to-1820’s was a period for the United States of America that reflected much of the same principles of growth and self-actualization. It was during these years that the whole of America was able to find a sincere sense of who they wanted to be, and how they would be just that, hence developing a greater perception of independence and self-sufficiency. Over the course of those 30 years, the United States not only transformed physically through the Louisiana Purchase but politically and socially through the “Jacksonian Era” and the rise of the “common man”.
From this paper, the reader will learn a lot about America, and the things that are often glossed over when trying to present the country a patriotic and free. It is important to take steps like these towards gaining a broader picture of our nation and perhaps also the human mind. Doing these things almost always have positive effects on people and their worldviews.
American beliefs and opinions give a great understanding of what an American values. The want and need for freedom is described in many different ways based on origin or social beliefs. The main backbone of America today is freedom. Through the building of an American empire everyone can’t come to an understanding of what it is to be equally free. By comparing and contrasting the perspectives of Patrick Henry’s speech to the “Virginia Convention,” to take up arms and fight for our freedom. Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” who feels it’s time to end slavery. It is clear that the struggles of the American story are still prevalent and America has not yet found a way for freedom for all.
Think about all of the influential books, newspapers, and websites that have helped to change the world for the better. Our country would have never won the Revolutionary War without the pamphlet “Common Sense,” by Thomas Paine. He used his knowledge of the country’s issues with
Thomas Paine was an English-born American political activist and revolutionary. In 1791 he published a book titled “Rights of Man.” In this, Paine describes the natural rights of the people and what may happen if governments choose not to protect these rights. In this he states that America is a place against all odds doesn’t have oppressed poor, and that the rich are not overly privileged. Thomas Paine’s characterization of America doesn’t hold true today because the government is no longer just and that poor people are oppressed.
In his excerpt from “Common Sense” (1776), Thomas Paine charges the American people to fight for independence from British rule and to ensure a fair government fit for America. Paine published his essay in a pamphlet to be dispersed among the American people, hoping to appeal to their common sense and to distinguish the difference between the weight of Britain's oppressive government, and the lightness of society. His tone is prudent and makes his purpose unavoidably reasoned and, more notably, reasonable.
Thomas Paine is often considered one of the unsung heroes of the American Revolution and wrote some of the greatest revolutionary propaganda that is still being studied today. In his 1791 Book “Rights of Man” he postulates that America is a bastion of hope and is an unlikely melting pot of cultures, languages and religions brought together greatly by a non-oppressive government that supported the rights of all people. 1791 America was by no stretch of the imagination the flawless perfect republic sought out by Thomas Paine on account of slavery (among other factors). Even today we are teetering on the edge between Paine’s ideal unoppressive society and total chaos. While Paine’s characterization of America still rings true in many regards there are some facets of modern life that Paine may find to be troubling. He also may believe that American’s today have strayed away from his vision of the “cordial union between all peoples”.
The United States, a developing nation, remained under the influence of idealism and paradox for a period of time, and thus were incapable of being self-sufficient enough to run a country on their own. They relied on England to protect them and practically run the colonies from overseas. Subsequently, America joined the family of nations that preaches men are created to be equal. This notion is expressed in Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. Though in the past Jefferson was seen as the greatest founder of the United States, today his more unknown attributes in the nation have come to be a topic of discussion, making a debatable conversation about the concept of presentism arise. Today, Thomas Jefferson is examined and evaluated from many different perspectives of his career during his lifetime in both adequate and deficient aspects, arousing the question if founding fathers, like Jefferson, should be remembered for their highest achievements, or for their individual failures and how the concept of presentism disarrays these outlooks.
Kate Lau Professor Lassar History 15 12 April 2024 Essay #1 In 1776, Thomas Paine, an American federalist, wrote a pamphlet, Common Sense, in which he argued that “the cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind” (Give Me Liberty!, Seagull, Chapter 5) and that the new nation would become “an asylum for mankind” (Give Me Liberty!, Seagull, Chapter 5). Based on my readings of colonial society in Give Me Liberty!, written by Eric Phoner, I agree with Paine’s assertions. I believe he was tired of their tyrannical government and made this case because he wanted the freedom, liberty, and clean slate that they didn’t have under British rule. Having moved to the colonies, Paine immediately began efforts to overthrow the British colonial
The United States, a developing nation, remained under the influence of idealism and paradox for a period of time, and thus were incapable of being self-sufficient enough to run a country on their own. They relied on England to protect them and practically run the colonies from overseas. Subsequently, America joined the family of nations that preached men were created to be equal. This notion is expressed in Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. Though in the past Jefferson was seen as the greatest founder of the United States, today his more unknown attributes in the nation have come to be a topic of discussion, making a debatable conversation about the concept of presentism arise. Today, Thomas Jefferson is examined and evaluated from many different perspectives of his career in both adequate and deficient aspects, arousing the question if founding fathers, like Jefferson, should be remembered for their highest achievements, or for their individual failures, and how the concept of presentism disarrays these outlooks.
In 1791, Thomas Paine shared his perspective on the country of America. Born in England, Paine was an intellectual and a supporter of American Independence. In Paine’s passage “Rights of Man” he examines the characterization of America in 1791. He begins his passage by stating that “if there was a country where concord would be least expected it would be America.” Paine explains his reasoning by saying it is because America is made up of people from different countries, languages, religions, and governments.
America: “The land of the free, and the home of the brave” (Key 7-8). When our forefathers overcame the colonial reign of the British Empire, they formed the United States of America based on the premise of enlightened ideals promoting life, ownership of land, and liberty. But after the revolution, the country’s problems were far from solved. The country’s post-revolution issues sparked a Civil War, which was followed by a reconstruction. In some ways, the Civil War and Reconstruction helped the United States accomplish its original goals, but in many ways, that was not the case.
The birth of a nation does not happen overnight nor with one word. One can clearly see how words and ideas have an impact on people’s thoughts and writing by examining “The Declaration of Independence” and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.” Basically, the two documents echo principles stated in John Locke’s “Second Treatise of Government,” and share a style of expressing their feelings on national issues; the authors examine and give reasons for colonial problems with the government and offer a solution. The tone and audience might vary, but the overall message is similar in its principles, showing the impact Locke and Paine had on such a vital document in our history as the “Declaration of Independence”.
Thomas Paine, a revolutionary, intellectual, and supporter of American independence from England published a book titled, “Rights of Man” which deals with the government shielding the natural rights of its people. Initially, the book captures the diverse aspect of this nation, but it fails to reveal the struggles that arise to preserve and adapt to such a society. Paine expresses his optimism towards the supposed perfection of American society, as one “made up...of people from different nations,” with certain expectations. Additionally, the time gap between “Rights of Man” and modern America cannot be neglected. Paine wrote during an era in which “constructing a government on the principles of society and the rights of man” was the essential objective of the country. However, modern-day America experiences opposite ideals and Paine’s theory no longer remains true because of the educational gap between the rich and poor, terrorism, and racial profiling.
Being a digital citizen is an important part of using the internet. Being informed on what is right and wrong on the internet can prevent you from making a mistake that will affect how the world sees you.