Thomas Paine's Views On The American Revolution

This essay will be discussing and analyzing the document: Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine was an American founding father and very influential in the the enlightenment movement that started in 1714. Thomas Paine wrote common sense so people would begin thinking and discussing the way the British had been treating the colonies in the recent years. Paine believed that King George and the British parliament were tyrannical and that the colonies should do something about it. Common Sense appealed to many of the colonists because of the plain language Thomas Paine used. 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 was one of the best known political philosopher and pamphleteer back during the 18th century. “Common Sense” was the first published pamphlet that proclaimed the independence of America and one of his most famous piece of work. How did Thomas Paine influence the declaration of independence by writing “Common Sense”? “Common Sense” convinced a great amount of moderates to become patriots, additionally, some loyalist were persuaded by his writing. Also, he was able to express his feelings and wrote in a way that people commonly spoke. Thomas Paine had successfully contributed to the declaration of independence and his 47-page pamphlet, “Common Sense”, impacted numerous Americans.

Thomas Paine, a man who is responsible for some of the most influential writing during the colonial period of the seventeen-hundreds. Thomas Paine was born in Britain, in January 1737 and moved to America in the year 1774 shortly before the start of the Revolutionary war on April 19th 1775. Soon after the first major battle in the war Thomas wrote his most famous work, a pamphlet titled “Common Sense”. The purpose of this pamphlet was to persuade anyone who might be undecided on whether or not they wanted to break free from the oppression of the British government. Thomas wanted the American people to fight for more than just freedom from British taxation, he believed that they could gain or independence. Common Sense made an unquestionable argument for independence from England and called the revolution not only achievable, but inevitable.

Thomas Paine wrote a series of articles known collectively as "The Crisis" to support his argument for independence from England during the Revolutionary War. Thomas Paine 's reasoning for writing this collection of articles is rather sound. The call to arms in this document calls “tens of thousands” to arms to battle Great Britain and their unfair rule over their country. Paine was justified in his writing, the unfair rule of the British government did need to be “called out” sort of speak.

The Age of Reason is a name used to describe the age that influenced the American Statesmen of the Revolution. Taxes forced upon the colonists by Britain after the French and Indian War enraged the colonists, leading to the Revolution that would change the world forever. Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine’s The Crisis Number 1 were two very important works of literature during the Revolutionary period. Both works used persuasion effectively. Jefferson wrote to King George III declaring independence; Paine’s purpose was to unite America to fight against Britain. However, The Declaration was most effective because we still use The Declaration of Independence today. The United States would not be the democracy it is today without Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of

Thomas Paine was an unknown British writer. In 1774 Thomas pain arrived Philadelphia. When he arrived Philadelphia, the tension was high between colonists and British there. He saw wars and discrimination. In Paine’s view there were no motive for the colonies to stay dependent on England. In 1776 in his pamphlet “Common Sense”, Paine gathered his ideas on American Independence. In Paine’s word, all the disagreements for separation on England are established on nothing more than simple facts and common sense. Not shockingly, but yet outstanding was his demand for a Declaration of Independence. If we look how many copies sold of “Common Sense” were sold (500.000), Paine's influence on the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 is presumed. An additional sign of his great impact was the number of loyalist responses to Common Sense.

Paine is against America having a connection with Britain and a single person having power. As Paine expresses, King George III is not and should not be able to be in power of the colonists because mankind is created to be equal and therefore kings should be “disapproved by nature” (Paine 217). Not only does Paine express his anger at the topic of a ruler for all, he also voices that America is connected to whatever Britain does and whatever problems Britain has: implying that America has no say what so ever under Britain (Paine 218). Paine is suggesting that Britain is not only hurting but also is subordinating America and its colonies, so a declaration of independence is in need. Henry, in agreement to Paine, also expresses that the King has reached a point where he does not care of the colonists and treats them as inferior, Henry is hinting at the point that Britain is just hurting the colonists (Henry). Not only does he express this he concludes with this quote: “Why stand we here idle?... Give me liberty or give me death” (Henry). Paine and Henry and Paine both suggest that a revolution should commence due to the pain inflicted and subordination inflicted. Why should the colonists not

“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. But Paine would not accept this attitude.

Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine are both considered to be founding fathers of the United States of America despite the fact that they both came from different backgrounds. Thomas Paine was born in Norfolk England, the son of Quaker and left school early to become his father’s apprentice. Thomas Jefferson was born in Colonial America in the colony of Virginia to a wealthy planter father and a mother from a distinguished family. He was given an extraordinary education and attended college earning a degree in law. As a young man Thomas Paine traveled in England constantly, working and pursuing many different ventures before emigrating to America in 1774. Thomas Jefferson was a scholar, constantly in pursuit of knowledge and inherited considerable wealth from his parents in Virginia. Both men shared similar ideals

As a democrat, Paine believed in strong state governments and Washington opposed that. Washington would do anything to make sure that a strong government-led country would survive. In spite of Washington’s efforts, Paine wrote numerous articles in which he tried to reinforce what the Declaration of Independence was actually about. He believed in a world that would focus on democratic rights other than a strong central government. Furthermore, Paine considered it to be a privilege of the country to decide its legislature, to gain individual rights, and to obtain their freedom. Additionally, Paine approved of the Bill of Rights that were included in the constitution and saw them as something that could be used throughout the world for the good of all. For example, Gordon Duff wrote, “His idea of strengthening the Articles of Confederation was to ‘add a Continental legislature to Congress, to be elected by the several States.’” (Paine qtd. in

Before the beginning of the American Revolution, there were many political activists that wanted to communicate with the rest of the colonists on their views of British involvement with the colonies. The perspectives from political leaders like were recognized through their published papers, such as James Otis who argued about equal representation as British subjects, followed by Paine’s strong remarks against the separation between the colonies and Britain which resulted in the motivation for the unification of the colonies to begin fighting for their freedom.

Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine we two different individuals who both had a major influence in the American Revolution Era. Both of them have very different backgrounds, but both see the ultimate goal for the colonies future. Mr. Henry and Mr. Paine did not believe the decision that were being placed over the colonies. These two men knew that the only way for peace was going to result in a conflict.

It is the position of the creator that Paine was basically the main surly understood radical democrat in America, trade those perspectives to both England and France in the 1790s, and has propelled those trying to counter the powers of mistreatment from that point forward. Despite the fact that Paine was a latecomer to the progressive cause in the states, having arrived just in November, 1774, there is little question that his handout “Judgment Kills” 1776, was a break with an example of alert that many followed as to partition with England. His abrasion of the English government including the King. Which achieved tremendous of pioneers, was on enormous figure expanding progressive fever to a level adequate for a formal Declaration of Independence just six months after the fact.

Common Sense was an important stepping stone towards independence. Thomas Paine was a person who advocated and supported egalitarian principles. He believed that all people are equal and deserved equal rights and opportunities. Thomas goal was to influence to people in the Thirteen Colonies to stand for independence from Great Britain. The thirteen colonies were a group of British colonies on the east coast of North America. The thirteen colonies were: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Caroline, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Throughout the excerpts of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” he makes many compelling points on why America during that time was in the perfect position for independence. In the first paragraph Paine writes about how the economy of the colonies could thrive if they were not under the rule of the Britain. He makes points on how if America was not limited in trade by Britain and the colonies had its own legislative branch the economy would be a lot stronger. In the second paragraph Thomas Paine talks about how in the past if the colonies tried to rebel their military would not have been ready but during the time “Common Sense” was written the American military was ready. Another factor in why Paine supported Colonist independence was because it was