Preview

Common Sense

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
957 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Common Sense
Tomas Vela
U.S. History 101 Section 134
Common Sense Paper
In the years of 1775 through 1776, the American colonies were at the beginning of a war with Great Britain. American loyalists, those who supported the King of England, believed the colonies should remain loyal to their parent country of Great Britain, whereas the American patriots viewed the King of England as a tyrant and the country of Great Britain as betraying the American colonies. In 1776 Thomas Paine, a British patriot, wrote the political pamphlet, Common Sense, rejecting loyalist’s views about English control over the colonies and ultimately strengthening the American patriots’ morale to wage war against England (Tindall and Shi 150). Through Common Sense, Paine argued that England did not share the best interest of the colonies (Paine 84), that through checks and balances the King of England and Parliament did not protect the colonists from governmental tyranny but ruled one (Paine 69), and that the political order of the British government, a hereditary succession, had not and would not prevent potential civil wars. (Paine 79). Thomas Paine rebuffed the loyalist’s view of England demonstrating their best interest for the colonies by stating, “We have boasted the protection of Great-Britain, without considering, that her motive was interest not attachment; that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her own account…” (Paine 84). The colonies were hurting economically rather than strengthening under Britain’s control. According to Paine, Spain and France would have never been the enemies of the Americans had it not been for the connection between England and the colonies (Paine 84). The colonies were not enemies as Americans; they were enemies as subjects of Britain. The notion of Britain being the parent or mother country further disgusted Paine as he describes, “Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families…”

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    There are many similarities and differences in Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and Richard Henry’s Speech to the Second Virginia Convention. Both of these famous speeches were made by colonists to persuade the people of the colonies to dissolve all connections with Great Britain and fight for their own freedom. Patrick Henry made his speech before the Declaration of Independence to persuade the colonists to start making a plan to get away from Great Britain and to make the colonists “riled up”. Thomas Pine wrote “Common Sense” to boost the colonists’ morale because they faced many hardships while fighting for independence from Great Britain and felt like giving up on the cause.…

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Paine took note of the fact that although Britain did protect the colonies; it was strictly for the economic benefit not out of benevolence. It is also pointed out how if they were not so tightly bound with Britain then the colonies would not share the same enemies. In other words, there would have been no need for protection in the first place with England out of the picture. He also adds, yes, the colonies have been successful, but that does not mean things should remain the unchanged. To have a successful future, the political aspects must be altered because monarchy, in this instance will deprecate over time.…

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    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 eloquently establishes that, although turning the populous mentality towards independence happened almost overnight, it did not happen easily. Paine, an unsuspecting hero from a modest upbringing, was met with both fervent praise and grave dissension upon publishing what could accurately be referred to as his "master work." Never in the history of mankind has a singular document been so powerful to bring men to act for a cause, a cause they were, just prior to reading Common Sense, trepidatious and hesitant of. In 46 Pages few stones are left unturned leaving the reader with a comprehensive and complete understanding of one of the most important documents not only in American history, but in human history as well.…

    • 1315 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ap Us History Unit 1 Dbq

    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The shared public opinions in the colonies exemplified both an American identity and a developing sense of unity. After the Seven Year’s war, an American identity was clearly seen. Colonist developed a sense that they were British citizens who fought for their motherland to defend the land that they lived on. In their minds they were as much British citizens as the men across the sea living in England. The passage of numerous revenue raising acts,though, united Americans against the English. In a quote from Edmund Burke’s speech to Parliament, stating the Americans should not be compared to Englishmen. “Govern America as you govern an English town which happens to not be represented in Parliament? Are Gentlemen really serious when they propose this?” (B). This article shows that even Parliament was aware of the opinion that Americans were equal to British citizens, yet they still passed the Sugar Act,Stamp Act, and Molasses Act. This shared opinion in the colonies is the reason as to why they were so upset with how they were being treated by the English government. Because of this opinion colonists realized that the only way they could protect their rights as British citizens would be to unite against their common enemy. As stated in the Declaration for the Causes of Taking up Arms, colonists agree that they must unite. The declaration states, “The arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume....unabating firmness and…

    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It was America’s first best seller, it asked questions that had never uttered before, and it is a classic rendition of America’s cry for liberty. Thomas Paine’s essay, “Common Sense” set forth revolutionary ideas about republican government as opposed to government with a king. These ideas were revolutionary at the time because Paine dared to accuse what no one had before. He didn’t just denounce the British government but the heart and spirit of their nation, their King. Paine was able to pinpoint what exactly the majority of Americans wanted to change. Tyranny. That was the crime Paine proclaimed we Americans could abide by no longer.…

    • 403 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine was a very important document at the start of the American Revolution. Paine’s 48 page pamphlet was published on January 10th, 1776 and explained why the thirteen colonies should break off from England. In the first section, Paine explains that as society begins to flourish, a government is more necessary to prevent the “natural evil” he saw in man. The second section of this document points out that all men are equal and that the idea that kings and queens are more superior than everyone else is a false one. Paine then describes some problems that monarchies have caused in past times. He also argues against the constitutional monarchy, an idea promoted by John Locke. Paine says that the limits given in a “mixed state” are not enough.…

    • 535 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thomas Paine helped to inspire the American Revolution. 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. Another work of Paine’s that is crucial to the revolution is “The Crisis.” argues American independence, of course, but begins with theoretical thoughts on…

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Study Guide

    • 2513 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in 1776; helped American public recognize the need to separate from the crown…

    • 2513 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    "Common sense" was one of the most important pieces of literature in early America because it was extremely influential to many people throughout al of the American colonies. The colonist came to America to escape religious boundaries, so they could worship God freely. Thomas Paine uses this to his advantage by using scriptural quotes, pathos, to convinces his audience that it is common sense for the colonists to break completely with Great Britain. He says that a monarchy is terrible, and to have a king is not only an unsuccessful way to rule a nation, but it is also a sin. Paine undermines the king in his writing by using rhetorical devices to help destroy America's loyalty to the…

    • 120 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Regarding all things, in the Enlightenment era, propaganda was used to persuade the minds of others to abandon the relations with Great Britain as a result of events such as taxation without representation. One example of the propaganda used in this time is Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine used his pamphlet to reason with people that leaving Britain was ‘common sense’ due to the fact that, against popular opinion, America did not need Britain to thrive nor did they need Britain for protection. Additionally, he explained that America did not owe loyalty to the cruel tyranny called Great…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The people of America were unhappy about their situation. They were being taxed for almost everything – paper, tea, sugar – and without their consent. Because of this, many groups were formed to rebel, such as the Loyal Nine and the Sons of Liberty, both of which held mobs and riots, and threatened government officials. Groups like these brainwashed the America people into the adamant belief that their situation was solely King George’s fault and that they should hate England. Essays such as Thomas Paine’s Common Sense reinforced this mindset. With the people believing so strongly in this, it was nearly impossible for Britain to retain their allegiance, making the war ultimately inevitable.…

    • 458 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    histroy

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Paine presented multiple arguments in his pamphlet, Common Sense. One of his arguments that stood out to me the most is that regarding the monarchy and hereditary succession. Paine describes how nobody chooses to live poorly and cannot choose the status of their descendants and the importance and idea of equality. He describes the difference between Kinds and subjects as being unnecessary and unethical. Everyone is equal at creation. People of the colonies could relate to this on a religious aspect as well, because the Bible supports his statements. Paine supported the beliefs of freedom of property to all men and freedom on religion. Paine also discussed America and the relationship with Great-Britain. Paine stated that America had become dependent on Great-Brittan and that success and happiness should not be reliant on another country. He wrote that Great-Britain had nobody’s interest in mind but their own. Paine also pointed out the unnecessary quarrels with other countries such as France and Spain, due to the fact that we were involved with Great-Britain and pictured them as the parent country. He introduced the idea of having each colony be independent and have representatives chosen by the people.…

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The American Revolution embarked the beginning of the United States of America. A war that lasted eight years, 1775-1783, was able to grant the thirteen colonies the independence they deserved by breaking free of British rule. The war was an effect of the previous French and Indian War, which forced England to tax the American colonist, compelling them to rebel against parliament. From the 1760’s to 1775, many factors lead up to the American Revolution such as the various acts the British Parliament passed to pay the war debt, no representation in parliament, and the American people wanting to gain their independence. “No Taxation without Representation”, a slogan used by the American colonist, was the most important cause of the colonists declaring war for their independence on the British government.…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Paine examines the idea of once again maintaining dependent on England, concentrating on five issues: (1) that America flourished under England, (2) that England protects America, (3) that England provides unity to the different colonies, (4) that England is the parent country, (5) that strength is gained in their union. (Paine PG). Pain later outlines the primary harm that he feels will come from dependence on England.…

    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Common Sense

    • 3208 Words
    • 13 Pages

     NIMBY is often used pejoratively – it is sometimes referred to as the “NIMBY syndrome,” or…

    • 3208 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays