Thomas Paine

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.

Thomas Paine begins Common Sense with the idea that government and society have different means and are often confused with each other. He states that “society is produced by our wants”, it is positive by “uniting our affections”, it “encourages intercourse”, and is a “patron” (Paine). Paine describes government as begin the opposite. He describes government as being produced by “our wickedness”, it promotes “negatively by restraining our vices”, “creates distensions, and government is a “punisher” (Paine). In conclusion to this, he describes government as “a necessary evil” (Paine).

What arguments did Paine give for Independence? How were his observations about monarchy connected to his reasons for independence? Why did he propose that the law should be “King of America”?

Thomas Paine wrote secretly, yet spoke to the public on the occasion of him speaking out about his beliefs. The first pamphlet he published, persuading liberation from Britain, was called Common Sense. Paine believed that America needed to break free of the British controls. He was against

Thomas Paine was born in Norfolk, England on January 29, 1737 to a middle-income family. His father was a Quaker while his mother was an Anglican, therefore, constant family arguments about religion became part of Thomas life (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy 2). He did not have much of formal education as he quit schooling at the age of thirteen years and began working for his father. He was baptized in the Anglican Church that his mother attended. His father had forbidden him from learning the Latin language while he was in school though he wanted to learn it. His father specialized in craft staymaking and this was the skill that Thomas learned while working for his father (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy 2). Thomas had tried running away from home twice, failing in his first escape, but was successful in the second. He escaped to London and then went to Margate where he continued to work as a craft staymaker. He also preached in a church called Methodist persuasion. It was during this time that he married Mary Lambert who died during childbirth (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy 2). Several incidents had a significant impact on the life of Thomas such as working as an officer in an excise service, teaching in a school in London, as well as being appointed a member of the debating society at the Headstrong Club. Thomas later married Elizabeth Ollive in the year 1771. Thomas died on 8th June 1809 in Greenwich Village in New York City in

Paine’s view of human nature and the need for government is that government is needed to keep people, who against their morals, in order. Paine believes that it is human nature tend to not do the right thing and go against their morals. If there was no government, Paine believes the society will fall apart. Therefore, the government is essential for survival of the society as long as it follows the ideas of the people.

Thomas Paine was a philosopher of religion, and science, hie wrote the common sense, he wrote a few essays depends on the occurred happen in his life. Paine life was so difficult with his wife 's death, children, and losing his job. He lived in the Great Britain since 1737 was born in Thetford, England. Thomas Paine became extremely important. In 1776, he published the first essay about the Common Sense. The reason why Paine wrote the common sense is to inspire the army and to make his vision become true of being an independent country. Paine was successful as a solid, but he pamphlet become so popular among the solid and inspires them to fight against the British. Paine was the real catalyst for freedom from British colonial rule.

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

Paine's viewpoint is stated strongly and unequivocally. He believes that the only way the thirteen colonies can thrive is to obtain their independence from Great Britain. He states his reasons at the outset quite clearly, and from the wording, it is argued quite persuasively that in his view, there is really no acceptable option but to fight for independence. Paine does not believe that government is a desirable force in a country, but that it is a necessary one. One of his initial arguments is that because of mankind's basic "impulses of conscience," government is required to keep law and order in the land: "For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver" (Paine, 1776, p. 19). In Paine's view, then, to live

He argues that a democratic system based on continual elections and rights of the people protected by a written constitution would be more beneficial to society. To strengthen the concept of democracy, Paine speaks of a hypothetical society brought up in an isolated part of the world, away from other inhabitants. This supposed society represented the first people. Thomas Paine claims that some of its people will have many accomplishments other will not; thus through hunger, disease, misfortune and death it is inevitable that the people will set up some form of government that “…will establish a common interest with every part of the community, they will mutually and naturally support each other, and on this (not on the unmeaning name of king) depends the strength of government, and the happiness of the governed” (Thomas Paine, Common Sense). This statement reassures his beliefs towards democracy while showing how pointless English rule is to society. Thomas Paine is attempting to promote American independence with this document by explaining the benefits of democracy, in doing so he is demeaning the English government. Paine emphasizes the prejudices the English may have had by stating, “And as a man, who is attached to a prostitute, is unfitted to choose

Common Sense challenged the authority of the British Government. It was the first pamphlet to advocate American Independence. Some of the things Paine covered: the superiority of republican government over a monarchical system, equality of rights among all citizens, and the world significance of the American Independence. Paine wanted his thoughts to be heard and to have other people think about what he has said. His goal was to help America become free from the British.

“In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and, common sense.” (Common Sense, Thomas Paine) Thomas Paine is seen as one of the most influential and outspoken igniters of the American Revolution. In his pamphlet commonsense he addresses all the ideas of government and constitutional pragmatism. William Hogeland in his article Thomas Paine’s Revolutionary Reckoning. Hogeland describes Paine’s life in great detail as well as showing the conflict between Paine and President George Washington. The connection between Paine and Washington is one that really brings into perspective how much Paine’s writtings meant in defining how America took up arms against England. What is most interesting about Hogelands

Mr. Paine looked upon government as a sort of necessary evil. He thought of society as a much better state. However, Mr. Paine understood that due to the fallen nature of man, that society alone without the aid of laws and forces to keep said laws, man would not only lack a perfect care for one another, but that man may prove to do harm to one another. He further proposed that not only was government a necessary evil, but that in its worst state, it was an intolerable evil.

Paine starts his pamphlet by telling the difference between government and society. He states that “Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state

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.