What Is Paine's Argument For American Independence

This example is just one of many that Paine provides explaining his positives view of society and negative impact of the government. This example as well as the others help provide support to his main point of changing governments because it provides a reason on why he wants it changed, it shows that

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

Thomas Paine influenced colonists to declare independence by convincing them that they could not live under British rule anymore. At this time the British were imposing heavy taxes and unfavorable rules on the colonists. Americans argued that this was unfair because they had no say in the matter and that they would not stand for taxation without representation. However most colonists

Thomas Paine is not an advocate of monarchy. In fact, he called monarchy institutionalized robbing. In his work Rights of Man, the political philosopher contrasts old government with new government, defining the former as hereditary and the latter as a representative system. Specifically, Paine had two major objections to monarchy; first, he argued that a hereditary government is a imposition on humans, and secondly, “it is inadequate to the purpose for which government is necessary” (Paine 113). A hereditary government unfairly binds future generations, this would make the monarchy illegitimate because a government must have continuous consent in order to be legitimate. If a monarch inherits a kingdom he too inherits its people, Paine says to inherit people is to treat them as farm animals. To sum up this point, Paine exclaims that a hereditary monarchy reduces humans to beasts.

Paine did this through his publication of “Common Sense”. In this periodical, Paine spoke in simple English so that colonists from different places with different literacy levels could understand him. One of Paine’s main points was that Britain’s government was corrupt and that Americans were being oppressed while being controlled by this government. Paine believed that “thirst for absolute power is the natural disease of monarchy,” (Paine 1.17) as well as “the property of no man is secure,” (Paine A.16). Paine saw what the British were doing, and he believed that corruption and a lust for power oppressed other individual’s rights.

Furthermore, as Thomas Paine argues in his pamphlet, Common Sense, the colonies are protected with British military force strictly for Britain’s

“But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families …” (Common Sense). Paine wants the colonists to recognize that Britain is not acting like a loving parent but rather evil because of how Britain is treating her “child”.

It is said that it is in our human nature to shape governments in our formerly formed societies, and Paine explains why British rule is wrong for the future United

For example, he writes, "But admitting that we were all of English descent, what does it amount to? Nothing." He believes the dismantling of cultural bonds between Britain and America, and he also states that American commerce will make the future country secure and diplomatically. His writing includes economic, political, and cultural reasons why the colonies should break away from their mother country. Paine says that the colonies have little to gain from remaining attached to Britain. Commerce can be better conducted with the rest of Europe, but only after America becomes independent. Paine also asserts that if the colonies remain attached to Britain, the same problems that have happened in the past will happen again in the

That type of government in which he proposed was representative democracy. He introduces this idea by saying “LET the assemblies be annual, with a President only. The representation more equal. Their business wholly, domestic, and subject to the authority of a Continental Congress.”(pg. 96) Paine is indicating that the American colonies must gain their independence and cut off ties from Britain. He provides counterarguments and rebuttals to show that his reasoning behind America gaining independence is valid and crucial. He challenges a particular assertion that he has heard by some which says “…America hath flourished under her former connexion with Great-Britain…the same connexion is necessary towards her future happiness.” He rebuts this counterargument by using an analogy of a child thriving on milk. Because the child has thrived on milk does not mean it should never have meat, he essentially says. Britain has never had America’s best interest at heart, they treated the colonies as a piece of property and nothing more. Paine suggests that if America breaks its ties with Britain, there will be no need for Britain to defend them against the rest of the world. The reason being that if America becomes a trade partner that is mutually beneficial and adequate enough with the other countries in Europe, no individual country will allow it to fall because they would prefer to keep America free. He stresses that “A government of our own is our natural

Trace how music took shape in the United States in the second half of 20th Century, focusing on at least two composers, their styles and output During the period of World War II between 1939-1945, music also played his role for entertainment, recuperation and uplift, which pervaded in homes, concert halls, army camps, government buildings, hospitals and factories. American music in this period was considered to be “Popular Music” that focused more in romance and strength instead of propaganda, morale, and patriotism while classical music has limited scope. This period of music has its unique relationship to war.

Paine and Jefferson clarified the reasons for the need of independence. Two different men addressed similar issues such as, the king not allowing the colonist to choose their laws and congress. Paine had quoted “ … is he, or he not a proper man to say to these colonies, ‘You shall make no laws but what I please?’ … he will suffer no Law to be made here, but such suit his purpose?” (Paine, 1776).

Paine then talks about the concepts of monarchy and hereditary succession and how Israel once did not have a king but the ancient Jewish people had wanted one to keep the order and the peace among them. Paine says when the Jews decided they wanted a king and God was infuriated, pages from the bible were displayed in this

It claims all monarchs are despots, cut off from their people and craving for absolute power.  “Male and female are the distinctions of nature,” Paine wrote, “good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest . . . is worth enquiring into” (Paine 9).  Government is a necessary evil, a “badge of lost innocence,” that tends to get in the way of civilized society.  Modern civilizations should organize themselves into local, self-governing societies with only representational government, suggested Paine, not an all-powerful monarch. “Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived” (Paine 17).

Thomas Paine expresses his feelings toward the English constitution and its flaws specifically the crown. According to Paine, "because the