The Effects of Thomas Paine's Common Sense
The Effects of Thomas Paine's Common Sense
How important was it for America to gain its independence from England? Thomas Paine, an English radicalist, thought that it was extremely important. Important enough to write a pamphlet on why American Colonist should have independence. At the time, 1776, many Americans felt the same way about Paine's view on independence, but never took any action on it. Common Sense was published in 1776 as a way to engage people in certain political issues at hand. It was written by Thomas Paine to show that a break with England was only inevitable but justified. In Common Sense, Paine tries to convince people that the time for debate was over and that it was now time for American Colonists to raise arms against England. Paine tries to use a style of presenting this information that will not only convince but inspire or motivate American Colonists and raise up against the king. Thomas Paine divides Common Sense into four sections. First and second talking about how a government should be set up, and why a monarchy is wrong and how the effects of hereditary succession are negative. Paine starts the second half of the pamphlet on the natural rights human beings have. He ends it by talking about the capabilities of America and how the Colonists would be able to defeat Great Britain. Paine actually assumed an American victory. Knowing that England was very powerful at the time, people were probably afraid and thought that it would be impossible to overthrow the monarchy. It was definitely reasonable for the Colonists to believe that this incredible feat of victory was in fact impossible. Paine had to be pretty stinkin' bold to make an assumption of victory. The hardest thing for Paine was probably not just convincing people to believe that a monarchy was wrong and independence was a must, getting these people to raise arms. That, I would argue, is the main reason for this pamphlet. Thomas Paine's Common Sense
How important was it for America to gain its independence from England? Thomas Paine, an English radicalist, thought that it was extremely important. Important enough to write a pamphlet on why American Colonist should have independence. At the time, 1776, many Americans felt the same way about Paine's view on independence, but never took any action on it. Common Sense was published in 1776 as a way to engage people in certain political issues at hand. It was written by Thomas Paine to show that a break with England was only inevitable but justified. In Common Sense, Paine tries to convince people that the time for debate was over and that it was now time for American Colonists to raise arms against England. Paine tries to use a style of presenting this information that will not only convince but inspire or motivate American Colonists and raise up against the king. Thomas Paine divides Common Sense into four sections. First and second talking about how a government should be set up, and why a monarchy is wrong and how the effects of hereditary succession are negative. Paine starts the second half of the pamphlet on the natural rights human beings have. He ends it by talking about the capabilities of America and how the Colonists would be able to defeat Great Britain. Paine actually assumed an American victory. Knowing that England was very powerful at the time, people were probably afraid and thought that it would be impossible to overthrow the monarchy. It was definitely reasonable for the Colonists to believe that this incredible feat of victory was in fact impossible. Paine had to be pretty stinkin' bold to make an assumption of victory. The hardest thing for Paine was probably not just convincing people to believe that a monarchy was wrong and independence was a must, getting these people to raise arms. That, I would argue, is the main reason for this pamphlet. Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Bibliography: Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. Published by Barnes and Noble, 1995.