Thomas Paine And 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.

Unequivocally one of the most historically and culturally-significant pieces of literature, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense has been meticulously analyzed for its effectiveness in eliciting the reaction that Paine himself intended in 1776. At the forefront of Paine’s pamphlet is “Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs,” notable for its first sentence: “In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple, facts, plain arguments, and commonsense” (7). Within, Paine “elaborates” on three main points that strengthen the option of independence: the effects of British rule on the colonies; the plausible relationship with Britain upon reconciliation; and the actual role of England as a parent country as opposed to England’s optimal role. However, upon analysis of the text, I discerned that Paine does not develop his main points to the extent that he does his almost-propaganda-like statements regarding England. Despite this, adding historical knowledge to Common Sense can help one corroborate Paine’s views to an extent. Overall, when expressing his views on the colonies’ relationship with England, possible results of reconciliation, and England as a parent country, Paine does not elaborate, but information regarding the Navigation Acts and mercantilism can assist one in understanding the significance of Common Sense.

​Thomas Paine's Common Sense is a seminal piece of American literature and American history; arguably it's the most important piece. Paine wrote Common Sense in 1775-1776, and it's theme was to spread his political beliefs. He wanted American independence from the British monarchy. The pamphlet was anonymously released on January 10th, 1776, and it explained to the reader why the colonies needed to rebel against their British oppressors. It was sold far and wide across the colonies, and it was successful; it inspired many of the soldiers during the initial summer of rebellion in 1776. The whole idea of the pamphlet revolves around persuading the reader to side with the rebels in their valiant fight for independence, and he absolutely uses contemporary persuasive techniques in his writing. He uses facts about the present, he looks towards the future, and he uses religion to persuade his readers. In fact, it's a testament to how the act of persuasion has been very similar over the last 238

Taxes and trade restrictions had been placed on them without their consent, the british soldiers occupied their towns and cities and as America grew, England’s hold on it tightened and a few voices began speaking of independence and the loudest of these belonged to Thomas Paine who expressed the argument for American independence through his pamphlet, Common Sense which had a great influence on the Declaration of Independence, the pamphlet crystallized the sentiment’s for independence and offered a solution for American’s who were disgusted and alarmed by the tyranny of King George

In the work of Thomas Paine, "Common Sense" Paine mentions throughout of the working for a positive government with the idea of equality. Thomas Paine writes different excerpt that give theories and idea with the goal of implementing those ideas into a government that may be just and fair. Paine reflects on the English constitution specifically the crown. Paine also provide an insight to having a higher power to run a government. Paine also criticizes the idea of monarchy and hereditary succession. Complications would ultimately arise through his ideas and theories due to the differences in religions.

Many began producing rhetoric speeches and poetry that showed their desire for independence and the anger that they were building up because they were turned down for their representation. A pamphlet titled the Common Sense by Thomas Paine brought upon the ideas that they should have independence from Britain and a republican government instead-this pamphlet became extremely popular and sold over 150,000 copies. The acts that did not give proper representation led the colonists to boycott and think individually for their country-it was a primary source to the revolutionary movement including the Revolutionary War that ended with success of the Americans.

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 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

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.

In result of The Seven Years’ War Britain controlled American trade and territory. In order to pay for the expenses of the war several taxation acts and military presence were implemented such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Currency Act, Quartering Act and the presence of British troops at the colonies. Consequently, Americans who thought these actions violated their political and constitutional liberties opposed these policies with petitions, boycotts, and resistance strategies known as the Imperial Crisis. In January 1776 Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was composed to convince Americans of the need for independence from British rule and establishment of democracy. This pamphlet

In 46 Pages author Scott Liell is able to poignantly illustrate the colonies metamorphosis from a dependent arm of the English Empire to an independent country, the catalyst for which was Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Liell is able to not only articulate the turning point of the American consensus towards independence, but he also very intelligibly depicts the sentiments of all facets of colonial dogma and the torrential effect that Common Sense had in loosening the cement that held those beliefs. Using fantastic examples of the opinions of Tories, Whigs, and those ambivalent towards independence, Liell efficiently and

In the pamphlet, Paine talks about Great Britain making decisions without consent of the people. He uses examples of disaster and tells the reader “if you have not, then you are not a judge of those who have” (Doc G). The impact of each piece of propaganda fueled the colonists to think for themselves and make a change in the government. This rational thinking was partially responsible for independence from Great

Between 1763 and 1775 resentment toward Britain grew dramatically as the American colonies steadily realized they weren’t being treated fairly. Discontentment grew because of lack of protection and lack of effective government from Britain, as well as no representation in the colonial legislature. Samuel Adams initiated protest and gained support in organizing people to do something about it. Eventually, members of the Virginia assembly independently adopted new agreements of nonimportation resulting in boycotting British goods. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense pamphlet encouraged the Patriots to assert their independence and spurred on the Revolutionary

Charles Inglis, in his loyalist rebuttal to common sense titled “a crack-brained zealot for democracy” (1776), argues that the pamphlet by Thomas Paine is “an outrageous insult on the common sense of Americans” and claims it his duty to God, his king, and his country to counteract the deceitful lies it withholds. He supports his claim by first pointing out the author’s flaws in the method which he presented the information saying that his tone came across as “whiny” and “begging.” Inglis then presents a few examples of what good reconciliation with Great Britain would bring such as peace, no more blood shed, and better trade or naval advantage; then presenting what evil could arise if no reconciliation were reached such as devastation and ruin across America. Finally, while speaking highly of how marvelous of a country America is, explains its glory would be long forgotten is a war waged between Great Britain and America due to America’s seceding. Inglis’s purpose is to persuade other American minds to follow in his thinking in order to keep the peace between the two great lands and allow America to continue thriving as it was with Britain.

Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, is a major document of American history written between 1775-76. In this, Paine argues for the independence of the colonies. He begins his argument with general reflections about government and religion. He then specifies issues that dealt with the colonies.