common sense by thomas paine 
Teddy Strozyk
Mr. Miserindo
435-01
2 December 2014
Common Sense
In 1776, Thomas Paine uses Common Sense to address the overwhelming issue of the American colonies relationship with Britain. Paine clearly writes with the intention of convincing colonists to support the separation of the colonies from Britain. Soon after it’s release, Common Sense erupted with popularity and moved many Colonists in support of American independence. Thomas Paine is able to use Common Sense to gain support for the independence of American colonies through his attack on the concept of a monarchy, his ability to address and eliminate the colonists’ counter arguments, and his reasoning on why the colonies need to break away as soon as possible.
Thomas Paine begins Common Sense with an attack on the monarchal system and the British monarchy in specific. Paine addresses the concept that governments exist to moderate a population, and, therefore governments should reflect the beliefs of the citizens in that population. In the case of a Monarchy, kings have the absolute power to make executive decisions, without input or reflection from the same population to which those decisions apply. As a result, kings are able to make decisions that are unjust in the eyes of the population without personal consequence. Paine puts this in perspective by referencing the kings found in scripture: “Monarchy is ranked in scripture as one of the sins of the Jews, for which a curse in reserve is denounced against them. The history of that transaction is worth attending to.” (Paine section 2) Paine uses this biblical reference to establish a parallel between God’s absolute power and the British King’s absolute power that is corrupt. Paine goes on to condemn the British monarchy specifically as their kings are selected hereditarily. Paine remarks a hereditary line has proven to produce kings that are unjust and corrupt as they are simply given that throne with no accountability from the people.
Mr. Miserindo
435-01
2 December 2014
Common Sense
In 1776, Thomas Paine uses Common Sense to address the overwhelming issue of the American colonies relationship with Britain. Paine clearly writes with the intention of convincing colonists to support the separation of the colonies from Britain. Soon after it’s release, Common Sense erupted with popularity and moved many Colonists in support of American independence. Thomas Paine is able to use Common Sense to gain support for the independence of American colonies through his attack on the concept of a monarchy, his ability to address and eliminate the colonists’ counter arguments, and his reasoning on why the colonies need to break away as soon as possible.
Thomas Paine begins Common Sense with an attack on the monarchal system and the British monarchy in specific. Paine addresses the concept that governments exist to moderate a population, and, therefore governments should reflect the beliefs of the citizens in that population. In the case of a Monarchy, kings have the absolute power to make executive decisions, without input or reflection from the same population to which those decisions apply. As a result, kings are able to make decisions that are unjust in the eyes of the population without personal consequence. Paine puts this in perspective by referencing the kings found in scripture: “Monarchy is ranked in scripture as one of the sins of the Jews, for which a curse in reserve is denounced against them. The history of that transaction is worth attending to.” (Paine section 2) Paine uses this biblical reference to establish a parallel between God’s absolute power and the British King’s absolute power that is corrupt. Paine goes on to condemn the British monarchy specifically as their kings are selected hereditarily. Paine remarks a hereditary line has proven to produce kings that are unjust and corrupt as they are simply given that throne with no accountability from the people.