American Rationalism Analysis

American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was an impressive critique of colonial fears of separation from parent country and on hereditary monarchy in British Government. Paine possessed a unique ability to reach out to his audience through a variety of different methods. By using ordinary language and religious scriptures Paine painted a vivid picture on the fallacy of hereditary monarchs and for the need for American independence. However, his work wavered some by way of ignoring some factual evidence and suffered heavily by way of its own hypocrisy.

Thomas Paine described America through Common Sense. The book contains a deep thought about America. Thomas Paine wrote his ideas and feelings in the pamphlet. At that time, colonial America was confused about their independence and they were under British rule, so the book, Common Sense made more sense to the people. Common Sense was introduced to the people at the right time, so it became helpful to the people.

As indicated by the title of his work, Paine claims that his argument is grounded in common sense or reason. In what sense is it "common?" Does it legitimize democracy? How? Paine’s Argument for the independence of America is grounded in common sense in that his ideas are easy to understand and agree with.

An esteemed writer of his time, Thomas Paine wrote the critically acclaimed pamphlet “Common Sense” (1776) that encompassed anti-British views. A revolutionist of his time, Paine’s charisma and emotional appeal increased his importance and strengthened his argument. Paine argues that the British Monarchy was an atrocious form of government and that governmental autonomy was a better option. In “Common Sense,” Paine suggests the Monarchy as being corrupt through the use of emotional appeal.

Famous French historian Alexis de Tocqueville once said, “America is great because she is good. If America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” (qtd. in Carson 651.) In “Recovering America’s Exceptionalism,” Ben Carson explains how we are losing touch with the values that once made America a great country. These include decency, honesty, compassion, and fairness. He explains that in order to avoid devastation we must remember these values when making decisions about our future. I would agree that all hope is not lost, but we will have to embrace the values that America was originally founded upon to achieve greatness once again.

Introduction: Thomas Paine was an English American writer of essays and pamphlets in the 18th century. He was born in England and moved to the American colonies in 1774 after Benjamin Franklin encouraged him to. His most notable work was called “Common Sense” which was printed in January of 1776, a fifty-page pamphlet that inspired the colonies to fight for their independence. Prior to its publication, the colonies had been in revolt for a few months against England, namely in the battle of Lexington & at Concord. There was a big discussion in the colonies on whether they should go for full independence against England or go for an improved representation within their political system at the time.

Thomas paine’s Common Sense was one of the most influential documents to the American Revolution. This essay also tries to argue that without Paine’s Common Sense the

“Common Sense” also played a major role in shaping a colonial squabble into the American Revolution. When Paine wrote “Common Sense” many colonist considered themselves to be “aggrieved Britons”. Paine wanted the whole world to be free, his

Thomas Paine’s characterization of America from Rights of Man is formulated around the idea that the government, which was conceived "on the principles of society and the rights of man," is responsible for the country's prominent social, political and economic equality. America is often thought of as a land of opportunity, equality and freedom. While Paine’s characterization of America today does not necessarily utilize all of those ideals, it is mainly centered on a country where everyone is treated as equals regardless of their social, political and economic standing. Many would agree that Paine’s idea is an absurd one, even Paine could not have been completely honest with himself, speaking about a utopia where all are treated equal when

In the eighteenth century there was a mix of opposition of independence, and a hope that the new nation would become a home of freedom. Thomas Paine’s argument was that America needs to gain independence from England. Jonathan Boucher believed if God wanted America to be independent it would have happened. A few of the reasons Paine wrote Common Sense was a result of unnecessary wars, monarchical government, and the way Britain treated America.

Ashleigh Murphy 9/26/16 English 3A Ms. Abriani Research Project Thomas Paine 's essays Common Sense and The Crisis are two pieces of literature that relate to the common people, and with it’s message helped instill hope in those unsure of what the outcome for their country, their families, and their freedom would be. These writings have inspired everyone and anyone willing to read it because his literature pieces appealed to all who were interested. No man was superior to another when it came to these essays, because everyone was capable of understanding them. The main points of these writings reflected the main problems between British and American Independence, and his goals were to unify America as one nation.

Common Sense is considered to be one of the most important documents in American History because it was a big factor in what led to the American Revolution and the United States declaring independence from Britain. Common Sense was published in January, 1776 and later that year, the Declaration of Independence was written. Thomas Paine argues heavily against monarchy and hereditary succession on the grounds that it is against the word of the bible, and that it can cause many issues in societies in which it is implemented. Paine believed that all men were created equal.

Thomas Paine had successfully contributed to the declaration of independence and his 47-page pamphlet, “Common Sense”, impacted numerous Americans. “Common Sense” allowed citizens of the colony to

“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind” (Paine 1). With the Revolutionary War beginning in 1775, and the publication of Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, only a year later, this statement was widely recognized and addressed the issue at hand: the fight for independence. According to Paine’s assertion, America’s desire for peace and freedom is a basic necessity of life; it is what all men desire. Despite this innate thirst for liberty, many residents of America’s thirteen colonies were fearful of Great Britain, and because of this fear, complied with Great Britain’s every whim. Consequently, most colonists were hesitant to fight against the mother country for independence.