Persuasive Reasons For Colonial Independence In Thomas Paine's Common Sense

The book Common Sense by Thomas Paine was an American pamphlet written during the American Revolution, which was around the time when America was trying to gain independence from Britain. Paine discusses government, religion, and colonial issues. In the first chapter Paine differentiates between the society and the government. He described the society as being positive and constructive and he described the government being a necessary evil. Meaning the colonist needed to have some form of government to protect themselves from the basic rights. Paine also confronts the British government saying that their government is far too complicated and controversial, and that it would eventually cause problems for the colonists and the hierarchies. He makes up a pretend situation with a group of people on an island who are cut off from the general population. After developing relationships with one another the lawmaking portion becomes unavoidable. Paine says the people will be better off if they make up the rules they have to abide by instead of having set rules the King comes up with himself.

“Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in it’s best state, is but a necessary evil, in its worst state an intolerable one” (Paine 69). Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense, conveys and persuades each individual in the thirteen colonies to fight for independence. He reflects on the government, religion and more specifically colonial situations. Paine’s ethos, imagery, logos, anecdote, and simile in the pamphlet supports his point of independence and why the thirteen colonies should stand up against Great Britain.

Paine justifies American independence with the description of how the monarchy function, the advantages of separating since the monarchy held many shameful acts.

Today we look back at the American Revolution and picture a united people fighting for inalienable rights, but to grasp the impact that Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” had upon his contemporaries we must understand the situation in the American colonies in 1776. When Paine wrote his pamphlet, the colonist and The Parliament in London, were almost 10 years into a debate over the rights of limited self-government by the colonies. In the months preceding the publication of Paine’s pamphlet the situation had steadily worsened until the April 19th, 1775 armed confrontation between Massachusetts colonists and British Army soldiers. By the end of that day, blood had been shed by both sides, and armed colonists placed the British garrison in Boston under siege. Despite this violence, most colonists viewed the events as a part of a struggle between Englishmen that would be resolved with the continued allegiance of the colonies to the Crown, but with more favorable treatment from London. It was with this popular mindset throughout the colonies, that Paine would deliver his “Common Sense” pamphlet arguing for complete independence from England. Paine understood that to make his argument resonate he needed to appeal to the public in a manner that had yet to be done.

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense laid bare many of the grievances that colonists had with Britain and the manner that they conducted their affairs on the continent. Paine opens

Thomas Paine had many arguments for American independence but there are a few of them that are really the main focus of his thoughts for independence. The first argument that he made that was focused on independence was the relationship between the colonist and Britain. The fact that that Britain had laws to govern a colony on the other side of the world was implausible. That the island of Britain was going to give laws that the colonist of the Americas had to abided by even though the one who made the law was 3000 miles away. Another argument that he had was that George III was a tyrannical leader. There was no way that he was going to keep peace, and to rule over a colony, and expect the colony to follow all the

In looking at the Adameses’ document, it is clear that they share a view that is similar to Paine’s. The Adamses documents share their acknowledgment of the worries shared by many of the colonists. They believed that Paine, in “Common Sense,” had a good message about what the “American attitude” should be about, but also found that Paine had no new system to replace the current way of government.

Introduction Thomas Paine's work, Common Sense, was written in 1776. James Chalmers' Plain Truth, written the same year, was a response to what Paine had written. Each was written during a politically divisive time, and the opposing views reflected in each of these documents clearly reflect the sentiments of that period in our nation's history. The thirteen colonies were not of one mind on the subject of whether or not they wanted independence from England. There were strong opinions to support views on either side. As we can see by looking closely at each of these primary sources, emotions ran high on both sides.

The essay seems to persuade the colonies to seek independence. Paine strongly infers that he wants this independence to come about peacefully, but he says that it’s inevitable.

Part of America’s independence and freedom was a result of Thomas Paine’s literature, since most of his work had focused on the importance of supporting the fight for independence. For example, “Crisis No.1”, a series of pamphlets that had continually spoke of the colonies

Paine would describe it as an individual duty to their country. Americans specifically had to choose who and why they were loyal to. A King who demanded more every day and was solely looking out to benefit his kingdom or the people who were also being affected by the unjust laws that were set. Choosing to stand against the Monarchy, although it would bring them negative consequences was the first step in admitting that something was wrong with their government. How was Paine able to persuade them to see his perspective? At the time not many could read but they all had one thing in common, religion. Religion was the bases for the majority of the colonies. Each had their quirks but they all spoke about the lord and savior that would bless them. Paine uses imagery and the power of storytelling through bible stories to connect to the colonist. God’s word was above all and if Paine could relate it to government than it obviously meant something was wrong. Not only that but they themselves started to see the injustice that was placed upon them. Americans were charged a large amount of taxes for a trip that was supposed to be funded and taken care by Britain instead of helping and easing the burden of a new environment Britain takes all it can get at the cost of the

While it is true that the British colonies in North America did stem from England, it is incredulous to think that a mere island nation, no matter how powerful or far reaching their empire, could ever hope to govern a continent a vast ocean apart. Between the French and Indian War and the subsequent taxation that it resulted in, the period of Benign Neglect was beginning to take a darker and more restrictive route, which would only go to instill in the minds of the American colonists that they were only a “means to an end” for Britain. Thomas Paine would only help to stoke the flames of the coming movement for American independence through his work “Common Sense” where he brought the hypocrisies and sins of the British government to light along with arguing why the colonies would be better off on their own. Within the contents of “Common Sense”, Paine would go toe-to-toe with the arguments of colonists who opposed independence in areas such as whether or not England had the colonies’ best interest at heart, the true nature of balance between the British monarchy and Parliament, and whether or not the colonists could actually govern themselves.

Independence isn’t something that's given but simply something that is earned. Paine stretched the significance of freedom in his famous writings of The Crisis. This pamphlet states “ the harder the conflict,the more glorious the triumph” (Paine). This point meant that independence will never be considerably appreciable without the passion to fight for one's country; even in times of war. The writings of Paine were read to Washington's troops during the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Paine was concerned about the American need and cause for independence. Until 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.” He was inspired by Benjamin Franklin and the revolution. In Common Sense he argued for the colonies independence from Britain, saying the government that denies representation should be replaced. Should not be a revolt against taxation but a demand for independence. Paine hated monarchial government and he knew that if there was any reconciliation with Great Britain it would only cause the current situations to repeat themselves.

Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. It is more popular today than it was when it was written. The Declaration of Independence includes ideas that men are born free, born with 'inalienable rights', and that when your government no longer serves society's needs , then it is the peoples' right to eliminate that government and form a new one. These ideas came from John Locke and Thomas Hobbes, the British, during their 'Enlightenment' in the previous century.Thomas Paine wrote an influential pamphlet called ‘Common Sense’, and it influenced their decision to fight for their independence. He argues that government has a solitary purpose of protecting life, liberty, and property, and should be conjectured solely on the basis of extent to accomplish these intentions. He is convinced the colonies should be independent so that they can thrive ultimately. Patrick Henry wrote a speech called 'Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death'. He opposed the idea of independence of the colonies. Henry believes Britain was treating them not as equals,