Thomas Paine and the Pamphlet Common Sense

Thomas Paine claims in Common Sense that the people living in America do not need to tolerate the oppression from their British overlords. His main purpose for writing this pamphlet was to expose the injustice of the British towards the Americans and to persuade those who still believed that the British were either needed or were beneficial for the Americans in 1776. Paine values the idea that the Americans need to revolt against their evil ,oppressive, monarchical rulers in Britain and to establish pure democracy in the Thirteen Colonies. Paine writes from the perspective of an equal to his fellow American man, thus making him relatable from common folk to the wealthy merchants and upper classes. Paine shows the British tyranny over America as horrific and he wishes to expose British faults and impurities to inspire the colonists

Thomas Paine published Common Sense in January of 1776, and was a motive that pushed for America to gain freedom from British rule. Paine used Common Sense as way to explain to the Colonist just what Britain was doing to the colonies and what they were stopping them from achieving. Paine used language that colonist used in everyday life so that it was more appealing to them. Being that it was wrote in an easy to understand language and stated what colonist wanted to hear it appealed to everyone such as soldiers, laborers, and all common people of the colonies.

During the late 1700's, the colonies and their mother country, Great Britain, were butting heads with immense taxation and the unreasonable laws England placed on the colonies. Thomas Paine was a journalist at the time and published one of his famous works "Common Sense" in 1776. The pamphlet was intended to challenge the British government authority that was overruling the colonial power. The arguments Paine states in Common Sense became some of the deciding factors of the colonies breaking away from Great Britain.

- In 'Common Sense', published in January 1776, Thomas Paine said that the Colonists should aim for complete independence from Britain. Among the arguments he used were that Britain governed the Americans for its own benefit, not theirs, and that, in any case, the distance between the two nations made governing from England very inefficient. The pamphlet sold in its thousands and was very influential. It helped to turn a local uprising into a War of Independence and Thomas Paine was given the title Father of the American Revolution. He helped the American Revolution to succeed. He wrote stirring pamphlets which was so popular. He even wrote songs that inspired the soldiers of the American Armies to fight on, even when things looked hopeless. For example, he published a Crisis Paper, which starts with the stirring words “These are the times that try men's souls” which encouraged the beaten and demoralized Revolutionary soldiers to remain true to their cause. In this way, he helped the revolution to succeed. He gave his own money to try to make sure that the American soldiers were fed and clothed properly and he held important positions in government. He was secretary of the Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs. As such, in 1781, he sailed with a delegation to France, to try to get more provisions for the Army. The mission was successful. Without it, the American Army may well have had to surrender to the British. (http://norfolkheroes.e2bn.org/hero/achievements/81/print). He was staunchly anti-slavery, and he was one of the first to advocate a world peace organization and social security for the poor and elderly. But his radical views on religion would destroy his success. He was derided by the public and abandoned by his friends. By the end of his life, only a handful of people attended his funeral (http://www.ushistory.org/paine/). Toussaint however was not anti-slavery he

Political leaders acknowledged Paine’s importance, although some begrudged the popular admiration lavished on this poorly educated artisan whose flamboyant writing style they found unsuitable.” (Carol 115). In his pamphlet, all of the arguments for splitting up from British government were all established on nothing more than truths and common sense. Paine's influence was touched because he called for the nation’s freedom, and the massive impact on the Declaration of Independence can be seen.

Thomas Paine was a British-born citizen of Pennsylvania whose formal education ended at only thirteen years old, but he chose to educate himself in his free-time. He met Benjamin Franklin who then persuaded him to move to the colonies. He introduced his views of an independent Continent very shortly before the American Revolution, which heavily influenced many middle-of-the-road colonists. Common Sense is arguably his most influential work, and it was decidedly written in such a manner that the common folk could comprehend. In his famous pamphlet, he writes about government as a necessary evil, state of nature, the problems of monarchial systems of government, the

Looking through the history of politics, it can be seen that a majority of cultural, social, and economic issues are birthed from the hands of authors. The French Revolution had Maximilien Robespierre, the Age of Enlightenment had John Locke, and, lastly, the American Revolution had Thomas Paine. Of these revolutions and changes in society, the American Revolution was fundamental in creating the American identity and the residuals can still be felt today. Although there were numerous figures that aided the beginning of the American Revolution, Paine was one of the most influential due to his 48-page pamphlet Common Sense. Published anonymously so as to keep himself safe from the British, Common Sense truly brought the idea of independence from Great Britain front and center to the colonists. In doing so, the masses slowly began to turn on Great Britain and soon realized that independence was coming soon. Paine, with his politically capacity, implemented methods throughout Common that would draw people towards the idea of independence. The first method was to make the claim for independence a global need and reunite the colonies.

In the pamphlet Common Sense by Thomas Paine, one of the most influential reformers at the time, Paine explicitly explains why the colonies should politically and economically separate from Great Britain. His viewpoint is that the colonies should be independent of Great Britain since they’ve suffered under unfair British autocratic rule for too long. His viewpoint is developed through the usage of figurative language as well as rhetorical appeal and supported in his counterargument. Therefore, Paine’s viewpoint is that America should be independent of Great Britain. One of the techniques Paine uses to develop his argument is figurative language.

Thomas paine wrote “Common sense” in 1775, some people called it a book, some a pamphlet. It was an american literature piece that was written aside from getting a message across, but influencing the people to go against the government that was already in place. Thomas paine wrote this to get peoples attention. He wanted everyone to take a look at his ideologies about the current government and have them assess their place in society and whether they share the same ideas.

Thomas Paine influenced many Americans to continue their battle of Independence from Britain. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense which stated “simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense”. This pamphlet talked about America’s independence from Britain. In the document Common Sense, Thomas Paine questioned the English Parliament and English Monarchy. Common Sense was known and recognized world wide. This document inspired people more to get involved with America being independent. This document stated how independence was a natural right and the only possible source for the colonies (Common Sense). Thomas Paine’s Common Sense stated his thoughts on “the superiority of a republican government over a monarchial system, equality of rights among all citizens, and the world significance of the American Revolution. This document was one of the prominent documents aiding America in gaining independence during the American Revolution. Thomas Paine also created The Crisis in which he wrote the problems that America faced being under Great Britain. In The Crisis Number 1, Thomas Paine used common relations between the American cause and beliefs that colonists held close, to support America wanting to be independent from Great Britain. Thomas Paine did this to ensure that the other citizens in America agreed with America being separated and becoming independent from Great Britain. Through Paine’s document The Crisis many grasped the idea of freedom and agreed with America becoming independent. Other American citizens wanting America to be independent strengthened America as a whole, so when they fought during the American Revolution and sought independence they were viewed as strong and together as one. Thomas Paine Created Common Sense after King George III’s message to Parliament. In King George III’s message to Parliament he talked about how the colonies were rebellious for wanting to be separated

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.

The Change in society is a big movement, as a college student I’ve seen society change dramatically. A thing that has changed throughout society has a big influence on us from the way we live, how we interact with one another and how we work. We might live in a society that has up’s and down’, but each flaw is used as a stepping stone to achieve higher than before. Thomas Paine writing of Common Sense reflects on the society of human beings, from areas of religion, morality and the government. Till this day Paine’s writings still have a big influence on society, imagine if there was no Thomas Paine where would society be at if he didn’t come to America.

Common Sense was an incendiary document, an attempt to change peoples' minds, influence their opinions, persuade them to want independence and a call to action. In arguing for American independence, Paine criticized the monarchy and argued that people are born into a state of equality. An advocate of natural rights theory, Paine claimed that there are no natural rulers among men (Bill of Rights Institute, 2010). He then proposed a system of representative government for the colonies. Finally, Paine stated his reasons why the time was right for the break from England. The pamphlet was published and widely read (Bill of Rights Institute, 2010). According to Esly Argueta, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence months later, and Common Sense is believed to have greatly influenced support for the cause. The Declaration of Independence was more tranquil and sensible, beginning with an outline of the British and American perception of the purpose of government, then explaining the reasons why the colonies had decided to declare themselves independent and then finishing with a long list of perceived abuses of King George III. Thomas Jefferson uses

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.

One of the most fundamental people in the push for American Independence, Thomas Paine offers much advice in both Common Sense, and The Crisis. Paine offers very strong arguments in Common Sense, which are supported by his own reason, his sensibility, his common sense and by his ability to draw inference from what has already happened. Paine uses every element in his ability to help give more depth to his arguments and plans. However, of all the cases Thomas Paine makes in Common Sense, the ultimate goal of Paine is to incite the American Public to make a stand against British tyranny, and break from Britain altogether, and become independent.