...Title: Common Sense Themes Thesis: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense manipulated and motivated the Americans to stand against English rule in a way so unprecedented that it will change America forever. I. Intro: A. Thesis: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense manipulated and motivated the Americans to stand against English rule in a way so unprecedented that it will change America forever. II. How was Common Sense different? A. It basically rebelled against England, which had previously been looked upon as the main way to run America. Americans realized the scam like way of this government well as the English Constitution which protected the monarchy. B. It wanted Americans to leave the British system and...
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...Reply to Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” Mr. Paine, I am writing to you in response to your pamphlet “Common Sense”. There are many ideas that you have that I agree with while some ideas are cause for concern. Being a farmer, I am concerned how the colonies will develop and how my family will live. We came over to this country for a new start and more opportunities for my family. In the first part of your writings, you write about government and society. You write that people tend to confuse government with society. While I agree that society is something that we all should strive for, I feel that a government is not “a necessary evil.” I believe that there should be a government. Due to different lives and employments, we think differently. Even if all of us act in a moral way, there still needs to be laws that govern us. I want this protection for my farm and without a government, we will not feel safe in our own homes and money, security, and ways of life will be uncertain. Government is necessary to protect life and property. You write that America is separated from Britain by the sea and therefore secluded from the rest of society. While this might appear to be true, many have come from Britain and set up the ways of the British. There are many European powers that are also in America. To say we are separated from the rest of the world is incorrect. Our families wanted a different life and are why most of us are in America but we still have many of...
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...1. Many colonists under British rule opposed the taxation of goods that were shipped from England to the colonies, they thought if they were ruled and under British law they should not be forced to pay taxes on goods that are technically from the country and ruler. 2. Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, spoke negatively about the monarchy and called for colonists to support the Revolution, wanting freedom from Britian. Paine said what everyone else wanted to say and he gained support because of this. 3. Many African Americans supported the British because they were allowed to fight in the British army as George Washington would not let them fight. Also, Lord Dundemore announced that England would recognize their freedom if they were to...
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...Name Tutor Course Date History: A discussion of Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’ article Qn.1 All men are equal Paine begins his argument by asserting the natural order of things that God ordained in men; that is, all men are equal. He, therefore, questions the way the British Empire could believe themselves to be extraordinary beings to the extent of subjecting the Americans to slavery by making all their important life decisions. Paine further notes that men and women are distinguished by nature, the good, and evil by faith. However, he wonders what kind of distinction assigns some human beings to be the rulers, in other words, the kings while the rest remain the subjects. According to Paine, it is unnatural and unfair for some human beings to believe themselves to be of more importance than the others. In his argument, Paine holds that hereditary monarchy through which the British exercise its political power obstructs the natural justice since no man should have preferential treatment over others. Paine further argues that Americas was focused on a higher calling. The main aim of such a calling was liberating the entire human race from slavery and affliction of self-imposed ‘earthly kings’. Americas Independence does her better than harm Paine suggests that America could be better without their colonial masters. He claims that England did not colonize America to protect it nor to make it flourish but to safeguard its interests. Paine criticizes those opposed to America’s...
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...America, a nation known for its freedom and opportunity, was founded on the values of liberty and equality. After analyzing Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and Martin Luther King Junior’s I Have a Dream, I have come to identify the liberty provided by our democracy as a prerequisite to the equality for which our country was established. It is only through the restrictions of our democratic government that we can provide equality for all. In his publication, Common Sense, Thomas Paine introduces the American value of Liberty, the freedom to act as one pleases. Liberty is truly the heart of American ideals. American’s are intent on protecting their rights to choose who they are, what they do, and how they do it. Paine explains that man’s inclination...
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...Voice of a Revolution: Thomas Paine Thomas Paine is considered to be one of the most influential writers of the American Revolution. He was born in England and soon became upset with the English Parliament. Influenced by Benjamin Franklin, another influential man of the American Revolution, Paine decided to come to America. Upon his arrival in Philadelphia in November of 1774, Thomas Paine commenced work with the Pennsylvania Magazine. From this point forward, Paine’s legacy and influence on the revolution began. Paine is known as being one of the greatest pamphleteers this world has ever seen. His voice and his words were highly persuasive to the American people. Paine’s writing was audacious and fearless. The highly acclaimed works of Paine brought a sense bravery and valor to those who read them and influenced those people to act on the situation at hand, which at the time was a war with England. Paine scripted a plethora of articles during the American Revolution most notable were a pamphlet called Common Sense and a set of essays called The Crisis. Although he authored many compositions during the time period, Paine’s most notable work was Common Sense. Common Sense was published and released in January of 1776. The pamphlet became an instant sensation across the nation. Common Sense brought a sudden sense of clarity to the nation about what exactly they were fighting for. With his powerful words, Paine offered the “common sense” idea of total independence...
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...Primary Source Critique: Jacobs, Harriet Ann (“Linda Brent”), Common Sense Due: November 10, 2013 Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, is a pamphlet that was written in 1775-76. Paine’s purpose for this writing was to be an encouragement to the general people of the thirteen colonies to seek declaration of their independence from Great Britain. Paine’s desire to connect with the common people is evident in his plain and easy to understand writing style; he wrote in an educated, but straight-forward manner. Dubbed a “political quack” by Loyalist, James Chalmers of Maryland in the Plain Truth (New), and accused of producing a “crapulous mass” by none other than John Adams, we see just two examples of the many attacks on Paine, who prevailed to claim such titles as, The Father of the American Revolution (“Thomas Paine's Achievements”). According to history.org, some scholars say that by the end of 1776 at least half of American colonists had read or been aware of the arguments that Paine presented in Common Sense (“Primary Source of the Month”). Because Paine’s belief in the importance of “the Doctrine Itself, not the Man,” he wished for the publication to remain anonymous for as long as possible to keep a focus on the ideas presented instead of him (Paine, n.pag.). Being so widely popular and rumored, Paine’s name appeared on the second edition. In the Introduction, Paine does exactly that, he introduces a basic overview of his grounds for the right to question “a long and violent...
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...Thomas Paine was an influential man who achieved many accomplishments throughout his life. He was born in England as the only child to Joseph and Frances Paine. He struggled as a young adult and was unemployed at the age of 36 until it was time for him to take up challenges having the help of Benjamin Franklin emigrate in America taking him to an interesting turn in his life(Foner). Thomas Paine is a prominent man who enlightened people through his writing, modify many United State citizens by his inspiring pamphlet “Common Sense”, and the change he was made in the United States because of his accomplishments. Thomas Paine wanted to show the common man why they should be independent of Britain. Paine wanted to reveal the corruption of the British monarchy and how the king was martinet. “in America, Paine believed there was a chance of righting the balance and bringing the ordinary citizen into power , if only the country could be made to see the necessity...
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...Thomas Paine questions. 1. Thomas Paine wrote common sense anonymously because the audience is not only a group of people, but is the colonies burdened with the power of British monarchy. This work will remembered and educated to generations to come because this is the history of America that started the reign of democracy. Thomas Paine’s idea of branches of government is not only remembered but used in the present and broached the rights of men in United States because of this vision the world has adopted the methods used in democracy. Thomas Paine’s style and tone of the Common Sense is secretly expressed in order to connect with the colonists, so the audience can trust and form a unity as a group. And in Thomas Paine’s view “It is not in numbers but in unity, that our great strength lies; yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world.” 2. Today the America’s government is made for the people, by the people and to the people. And the motto derived from Thomas Paine’s idea of restricting governments wickedness by promoting positive reinforces by uniting the affections and restraining our vices. In Paine’s view “society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government.” The government confounded with a society leaves little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only...
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...was tailored to satisfy the needs and desires of Great Britain. Unfortunately, colonists were uneducated to comprehend how they were living in a society where their voices were unaccounted for and their rights were deprived of. Nevertheless, a reputable political activist, known as Thomas Paine, saw it as his responsibility to dismantle the tyrannical practices of Great Britain which they called a government. In his noteworthy pamphlet, “Common Sense”, Paine attempted to persuade his readers, which were the colonists, to rebel against British rule and become an independent nation on its own. Paine’s pamphlet was discernibly used as a platform to disclose the vile actions of English rule and how receding from Great Britain will tremendously benefit the future of America....
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...Common Sense Written by Thomas Paine By: Alexis Quirarte 4 April 2013 Professor Billingsley History 16: History of The U.S. to 1877 Common sense was an extremely popular pamphlet written during the American Revolutionary War. The author of this great, and historical piece of work was a man known by the name of Thomas Paine. This historical piece of work when it was first released sold more than 120,000 copies in its first year. The pamphlet was released on anonymity due to the origin of its contents. In the pamphlet Pain was the voice of the American people that were concerned about the English radicalism. At the start, Paine explains that in the essay to come he is offering the reader nothing but, “simple facts, plain arguments,” and of course, “common sense” (27-30). He says he asks the reader for nothing more than to read on without prejudice and let their feelings decide for themselves; however, calmly Paine approaches the beginning of his work, though, later he will certainly show himself to be quite passionate. Paine begins his argument with more general, theoretical reflections about government and religion, and then progresses into the specifics of the Colonial situation. It is also extremely important to realize that throughout his pamphlet, Common Sense, Thomas Paine argues two main points: the first being independence from England and the second being the creation of a democratic republic. Paine uses an enthymeme by stating that “in absolute governments...
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...Renaissance Man-Thomas Paine Thesis Statement: Thomas was an American Revolutionary write whose work opened the eyes of Americans. I. Thomas Paine was an American Revolutionary War writer. A. Thomas Paine was an American Revolutionary War writer whose work opened the eyes of Americans. B. He was born in England on January 29, 1737. He died on June 8, 1809. He was known for famous pamphlets. C. He was a citizen of France, England, and America. II. Paine’s journey A. Paine’s mom was a poor corset maker and his dad was a Quaker. B. Paine had two short marriages ending in divorce. He was depressed. Writing helped him. C. Paine met Ben Franklin in London. Franklin helped start up his writing career. D. “Common Sense” was his first publication....
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...There are similarities and differences between Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and the Federalist and Anti-Federalist controversy. The Federalist and Anti-Federalist controversy explores the views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists supported the Constitution, and they wanted the Constitution to become law or ratified. Moreover, the Federalists wanted and believed in a strong, central government. The Federalists consisted of Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. On the other side, there were opponents of the Constitution (the Anti-Federalists). The Anti-Federalists thought the Constitution would give the government too much power and control; there was no Bill of Rights to protect the people and their rights from...
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...Thomas Paine was born in Thetford, Norfolk on January 29th, 1737. He was born to Quaker parents. His father, Joseph Paine was a stay-maker and his mother was the daughter of an attorney. After leaving his hometown Thomas eventually switched his career from being a stay-maker like his father to that of a customs official. In 1768, he was assigned to Sussex where he lived for the next six years. Throughout his traveling years from place to another, Paine made sure he educated himself. He bought books and scientific equipment from his scanty earnings and attended lectures. In 1770’s he found his first case and he indulged himself in this cause with a passion. Excise officers throughout Britain were appealing for better salaries and so Paine joined...
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... American Independence, and the creation of the Constitutional Republic of the United States America (Bailyn 26-27). Influenced by those of the European Enlightenment, such as John Locke and Isaac Newton, and fueled by the colonist’s growing frustrations with the English Crown, the literary soil of the New World was a fertile garden. From this newly enriched land sprung both flowers of poetry and the nutritious fruits of the realistic pen that were deeply inspired by the American Enlightenment. The literature of the Enlightenment period was powerful indeed, as it motivated people to think and to take action. Two superlative examples of American Literature and the influences of the Enlightenment Era are Philip Freneau’s poetry and Thomas Paine’s prose. The influence of enlightenment ideas is in the works of both of these important literary figures. Philip Freneau was the poet of the American Revolution (Bowen 213). From Freneau’s naturalistic poetry, such as “The Wild Honeysuckle, we can see the Enlightenment idea that nature is a revelation of God that holds instructions for mankind. “The Wild Honeysuckle" was America's first major poetic account on the themes of life and death. The poem begins by discussing the types of death that a flower might encounter; “No roving foot shall crush thee here, / No busy hand provoke a tear” (Freneau 5-6) Freneau considers nature to be an altruistic being that cares for a flower as a gardener. Even with the best of care from Nature, the...
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