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American Rationalism Analysis

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American Exceptionalism is a true and driving force in society and politics throughout America’s history, this idea can create multiple debates over opinions of the matter. First American Exceptionalism is the idea that America is exceptional to all other countries, the belief that we are dominant to anyone and that nothing stands in our way. The term American Exceptionalism is found commonly used in a political setting, but also affects the normal everyday life of all residents of the United States of America. The idea of American Exceptionalism has been a controversial topic for years now, and many scholarly authors have written their own opinion, or somehow addressed American Exceptionalism in a book or essay. A prime example of this is Thomas Paine’s essay, Common Sense, written around 1775, in colonial times.
Thomas Paine’s essay, Common Sense, brings the idea of American Exceptionalism into play, in …show more content…

Phillis Wheatley was an African-American slave that was part of the slave trade during colonial times. First the thing that demonstrates American Exceptionalism from her is that she could read and write, and was the first African-American woman to have any work published. This fact demonstrates American Exceptionalism because it was one of the first signs of change for slavery in the colonies. A publisher had to read Wheatley’s work and bypassed her race and only reviewed it for the content. Looking back on it now it showed hope for slaves, if Wheatley could do it, why couldn’t they. In Wheatley’s poem His Excellency General Washington she writes of George Washington leading the revolution against Britain. She writes that she likes General Washington and wants the colonies to win the revolution. This is a prime example of American Exceptionalism because she is rooting for the side that is persecuting her and her people. She is a true American hero and

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“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine The great political philosopher named Thomas Paine did the opposite of what many people would do, he was in contradiction of the government his country had established and persuaded an opposite country do make itself independent from his natal country. One of the most advocate pamphlets towards American independence was the “Common Sense”, which will be stated through the essay along with Thomas Paine’s biography, the importance of an immigrant wanting American independence, and the reasons why it is in America’s interest to be free from Britain. This Democratic man was born at Thetford, England in January 29, 1737.

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Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was a pamphlet he wrote to encourage Americans to rebel against the British which led to the American Revolution and America gaining its independence. Paine thesis was destroying America’s loyalty to the British and convince them to revolt. In the pamphlet Paine’s strong thesis on American rebellion on British oppression and some strong key points Paine discussed led to encouragement for the American People to rebel against the British and gaining their independence. Paine sections his pamphlet to four sections called of The Origin and Design of Government in General”, “Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession”, “Thoughts on the Present State of Affairs in America” and, “On the Present Ability of America, with some

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Many people are very familiar with the Journalist Thomas Paine, and his work, Common Sense, but many do not know depth behind his words. Despite the fact that many Americans were uncomfortable under British rule, many were too scared to speak up. However, Thomas Paine felt as if America had evolved and no longer needed to be under British rule. In the pamphlet, he displays the arguments of government as a necessary evil, state of nature, the inevitability of British oppression, and the problems with the monarchy. England, the supposed parent country did the exact opposite of what a guardian should do.

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