He changed many Colonists thoughts and many others to stop doing the wrong things and start doing the right. Thomas started writing books in the summer of 1772. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense on January 9,1776 but it was not published until February 14, 1776.
“Common Sense” was made for two points: independence from England, and for the democratic republic to be created. Thomas Paine wrote “Common Sense” in the language that the colonists used everyday, making more of an impact to spelling out inquities that colonists faced under British law. The reasoning in Thomas Paine’s writing encouraged colonists to unite in the cause of freedom. When colonists were close to the time of the revolution, “Common Sense” gave reasons to desire independence from Britain. Thomas Paine mentioned that there was no point for an island to rule a continent.
July 4, 1776 was a very important day to the United States. That day was when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thomas Paine was a big contribute to the separation of America from Britain. He influenced a lot of colonist’s to fight for American independence. Throughout Paine’s piece he has examples of rhetorical devices, ethos, pathos and logos.
During the American Revolution many of the ideas of government and individual rights came from the Enlightenment. The ideas of Locke and Hobbes inspired Thomas Paine when writing the Common Sense pamphlet and leaders when writing the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Paine's pamphlet used the ideas of Hobbes to persuade colonists to gain independence from the King. Hobbes believed in a negative government, selfishness, and how people are greedy for power. Paine shows the colonists how the King is controlling, greedy, and only wants power.
Thomas Paine, the voice of the Revolutionary Era enlightens the common people’s mind about independence. He could have been one the Founding Fathers of Independence, but he is not. He was the distributor of the written literature read by many in Colonial America and including the Gorge Washington and his army. Paine came to America from Great Britain to start a new life in a new world that had the potential to become the first democratic nation known to humanity. Thomas Paine, the author Common Sense, conveys the arguments of why America should become independent of the unnatural treatment of the British Monarchy, and if America wants to relinquish all ties to the crown, they must go to war to gain freedom and a new world.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense written in 1776 compelled the American colonists to separate from their mother county, England. Paine asserted at the time that England only cared about its own economic status and cared little for the colonies (84). With this, Paine addressed that in the event of revolution, the colonies would prosper due to home field advantage and the heart and passion the militiamen have (123-124). Most importantly, after having dealt with England’s superiority, independence and a representative government would arise in the minds of the colonists (66). According to Paine, independence would not lead to inevitable war; independence would lead to a more unified America with a stronger economy and a centralized government that
Despite Thomas Paine’s numerous contributions to the world, he is often overshadowed by John Locke, the so-called father of democracy. However, by modifying the public’s understanding of Locke, Paine altered the character and destiny of both American and World History. Thomas Paine’s ideas and efforts inspired and focused the American Revolution; he provided the colonists with the ideals and courage needed for the founding of a new nation. In his efforts to unite and direct the colonists, Paine created what may have been one of his greatest phrases: The United States of America. He provided Americans and Europeans with the rational thought, inspiration, and confidence to reject outmoded social and political structures of the past and the courage to implement ideals of freedom, equality, and human rights to provide a better future for mankind.
Throughout history, there were various motivational authors who tried to persuade their reader to fight. During the Revolutionary era, American authors such as Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Phillis Wheatley state their justifications on why the colonists should fight. At the time of the Revolutionary period, American authors significantly influenced the colonists to fight for their independence from Britain by invoking their belief in God, love for family and freedom. After evaluating the works of Revolutionary authors, the belief in God is used to persuade the colonists to engage in war.
During the America Revolution period, many pamphlets were written in support of or in opposition to the growing independence movement of the American colonies. One of these authors was Thomas Paine, a thirty nine year old English immigrant in 1776 who worked as a journalist in Philadelphia. Paine opposed King George III policies towards the colonies and supported independence of the American colonies. (Shi, Tindall 147) One of his pamphlets was “The American Crisis, Number 1”, which was written December 19th, 1776 in the New England area while he was marching with George Washington’s Continental Army.
In his pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine vehemently protests his views on American Independence by using simple facts to defend his statement on freedom from Great Britain, as well as governmental and religious proclamations. Born in the Age of Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement in the 18th century, Paine was brought into a world where people wished to learn and share their opinions and ideas on subject matters more freely than that of previous eras. Democratic values became more appraised compared to life under British rule. As a result, Paine became an advocate for the people of the Thirteen Colonies, declaring the feelings every colony felt but had not had even heart to exclaim. Back in Paine’s time, the
His arguments against Britain were extremely persuasive and influenced many Loyalists and fence sitters alike. Thomas Paine wrote that the colonies should aim for complete independence from Britain. Perhaps the most moving argument he used was stating that Britain governed the Americans for its own benefit, not the colonists’. This argument was the tipping point for many to become patriots. His words helped turn a local uprising of angry citizens into a revolution.
Thomas Paine once said,” Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one (pg 3)”. Paine, amongst many influential authors, was born in Norfolk, England. He was a political activist, philosopher and revolutionary, and known as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He believes in the America breaking away from their ties with England and promoted the independence of the United States. Paine published two influential pamphlets at the start of the Revolutionary War, one being “Common Sense”.
In order to gain more support for his cause, Thomas Paine wrote his book Common Sense, which explains why it is the obvious choice to choose to try to rebel against the English government. He published his book throughout the 13 colonies, and it became widespread, with everyone talking about it, and it convinced many people to join the rebellion. Common Sense did a great job in increasing the revolutionaries’ numbers, and helped them get ready for their revolution. When they were ready, they had Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence, an official letter to the colonists and England saying that the 13 colonies were now going to become their own, independent country, breaking off from English rule, starting the American Revolution. Both
Before this many Colonists did not know of the harsh injustices done by the British. They also did not believe that the cause for revolution was urgent. Thomas Paine showed them that the cause was urgent by explaining the wrongs the British had committed and why King George was a tyrant. He also showed them that America did not need the British Empire 's protection. This quote shows his reasoning “Small islands, not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.”
Before the pamphlet was published, nobody was brave enough to denounce loyalism and publicly announce that colonists should be engaged in revolutionary battles. Not even John Adams spoke a word that proclaimed independence until “Common Sense” was published. The “Declaration of Independence” that’s written by Thomas Jefferson was highly influenced by “Common Sense” that Thomas Paine wrote. The second continental congress voted and agreed on signing the declaration of independence on July 2, 1776, and was officially recognized on July 4, 1776. If Thomas Paine didn’t propose “Common Sense”, most likely the declaration of independence wouldn’t be signed, which may lead to America not having their own freedom.