During the 1760s and the 1770s, there was a major problem growing between the two countries: Great Britain and America. The founding fathers of America were in a confusing situation about the tension between the two countries and had to come up with something to do to solve the problem. The major problem at that time was how the colonists were getting treated by Great Britain, and regardless of whether the colonists should declare their independence from Britain. With the creation of Common Sense written by Thomas Paine and the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson, both documents explain why America pushed to declare their independence from Britain. Many people say that Thomas Jefferson used no books, documents, …show more content…
On January 10, 1776 in Philadelphia, Thomas Paine creates his pamphlet Common Sense.. In his pamphlet, it explains about how he believes that the people should fight against the cruel King George III and the British Parliament. Paine had used simple common sense in writing his pamphlet to show the Colonists that they should fight back against Britain. The very first thing that Paine talked about in Common Sense was about how horrible King George III was, he basically attacked the king. The attack on the king was “viewed as shockingly insubordinate, Paine’s personal attack on the king was greeted as an apt response to this new provocation”.# In Common Sense it explains, “For all men being originally equaled, no one by birth could have the right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others forever”.# That statement, is a good statement because it tells people that even though people may not look the same, act the same, or speak the same language, everyone should be equally treated. Paine also meant to explain that the citizens and the great Britain government were all humans, so they should all be treated the same. Paine then goes on to discuss the evils of having a hereditary succession in
Both Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson like many of the founding fathers of America share a ideology concerning independence and freedom in general. Although the two were notably talented writers, the difference in their arguments was their respective deliveries, writing styles, and their timing. Personally, I agree more with the way Thomas Paine chose to present his point of view. Common sense, for example, was a significant eye-opener for many Americans. One of the only reasons it made such huge impact was because it was written in a style that was easy to understand for the average American.
I believe that Paine had an advantage over Jefferson, because being born poor allowed him to see the world from the common man’s perspective. In Common Sense excerpt chapter 5 it is written in simpler text, therefore easier to read allowing it to reach more people in the colonies. Jefferson on the other hand, was raised by a wealthy family and had a good education. The Declaration of Independence, in Appendix A-2, which he wrote targeted the scholars of the colonies. Jefferson does not mention the slaves in the Declaration, he feared that by doing so could split the young nation, weaken, and divide it.
Paine sees the government sort of bad, and doesn't see our government as divinely ordained or otherwise extremely valuable. Paine thinks that, governments can only be measured by effectiveness, and their ability to improve society without being cruel. Thomas Paine doesn't believe that anyone has a right to govern other people, which means he thinks that the king should no longer rule the colonies. According to Paine's view on government makes the revolutionary movement much more appetizing by rejecting the presumption that the king has some lawful authority over the colonies. He also says that the only question that really matters, is whether the colonists' living conditions would be more better, if they governed upon themselves, rather
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine in (1775-1776.) It inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for their independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. It explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate awareness. It was distributed and sold widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places.
The author begins by invalidating any rally for peace maintained by the loyalty of hereditary succession, saying “The whole history of England disowns the fact” (Paine 21), followed by evidence of the many civil wars fought by the English. By evaluating these facts, the reader is able to clearly see how hereditary succession does the opposite of its purpose: it establishes quarrels and thwarts peace. Paine also considers the belief that the British government is credited with American prosperity, and because of this, Great Britain will always be of necessity to America. Though Paine refutes this immediately comparing the belief to these absurd notions: “…because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the nest twenty” (Paine 25). Paine even disproves the necessity of reconciliation between the colonies and Great Britain with two major points.
“It is wholly owing to the Constitution of the people, and not to the constitution of the government that the crown is not as oppressive in England as in Turkey.” We should give power to someone who is fair and not self-centered. Paine stated “from the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom” to advise us to avoid repeating the past in the future from learning about bad past experiences. Paine argued for American’s separation from England by comparing the Kings that Great Britain has had to what a government should be
According to Paine, “Even though people of the colonies were paying taxes and were pushed into wars caused by British, they were unfairly not represented in the British Parliament”. (109) Since Paine’s main goal is to target the common man of the society; he directs his argument by using the Bible and emotions to back up his own discussion. Paine indicates that all people are born equally and there is no one given the power to rule over other human beings. Then he uses Bible quotes to explicitly disagree with the presence of Monarchy rule used by the Great Britain.
Compare the backgrounds of Jefferson and Paine; did Paine have an advantage or disadvantage by not being born in the colonies? Explain. Paine had the advantage of being able to see the issues from the outside and from a lower point of society. To be able to understand a bigger group of people is far more of an advancement than to always target the smaller group. Which was the cause of the colonies not wanting to be under rule.
John Locke was a philosopher and political scientist. He had many interests and produced a number of writings that influenced future leaders. One of these leaders was Thomas Jefferson, who was involved with the aid of America and the act gaining independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence and Locke’s views on government contain many similar aspects. These ideas includes the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (natural rights); the protection that is provided by the government for these rights; and the altering or abolishment of government if it fails to provide and protect the rights of the people.
Thomas Paine was a great writer and was the editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine. Paine was strong in his beliefs and wrote Common Sense. The Declaration of Independence and Common Sense are two well known documents that share remarkably similar ideals regarding the ongoing crisis in America, but they also have some differences. Common Sense is a pamphlet consisting of forty-nine pages on why Paine believes the thirteen American colonies should break off from Great Britain. Throughout the Pamphlet, Paine creates a political argument in an attempt to rally the people together to fight for independence.
The Common Sense pamphlet was written by Thomas Paine he was an editor for the Pennsylvanian magazine. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. These two authors, Paine and Jefferson got their ideas from the Enlightenment philosophers Voltaire, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. One philosopher’s ideas that was found in both documents was Voltaire.
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
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
Due to his many experiences while living in Great Britain, he grew a desire to fight for the oppressed and often questioned the authority the British Monarchy had over the American colony. Thomas Paine wrote an influential Pamphlet “Common Sense” a scathing attack on the monarchial tyranny over the American colony and the significance of American independence. Thomas Paine’s ideas in this pamphlet were not original, however were more accessible to the masses due to the clear and direct way he wrote. His pamphlet helped to inspire The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence contains a list of grievances against King George III and justifications for the assertion of the right for independence.
Additionally, Paine’s Common Sense portrays a community questioning their tyrannous government. This pamphlet led to the Americans fighting for their independence. They used logic and reason, sparked