John Adams Influence On Thomas Paine

In early 1776 John Adams believed it would take a design of providence in winning the American people to the side of independence from British rule. John Adams ‘providence’ would come from an unlikely source in the way of Thomas Paine. Paine grew up in Britain with a somewhat nondescript upbringing. However, he did experience some valuable lessons in politics early in life that seemed to shape his demeanor towards the British government. These lessons would provide Paine with the perspective needed to inspire the inhabitants of America with the singular objective for independence.

How Thomas Paine became the voice of independence is something of a mystery in and of itself. After all, he had only lived in the American colonies for 2 years prior to publishing Common Sense. This seems brief to be someone considered to have centralized the colonies passion for independence. Paine developed his disdain for the British government during his thirty-seven years of life prior to immigrating to America. His Quaker upbringing set him apart from the ruling class in Britain from the get go. Quaker’s of Thomas Paine’s time did not conform to Britain’s Anglican Articles of Faith and therefore found themselves considered to be dissenter or outsiders.

The wealthy tended to associate with the motherland across the Atlantic. The growing artisan community provided a group of people ripe for progressive and radical politics. Additionally, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to discuss how to respond to Britain’s latest attempts to exert control over the colonies. By all accounts Philadelphia was quickly becoming the social and political epicenter of colonial life. Paine was able to build a solid following with his style of writing quickly in this environment which played a role in the success of Common Sense. Paine ending up in Philadelphia was a meeting of opportunity and