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American Rationalism Analysis

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American Exceptionalism is a true and driving force in society and politics throughout America’s history, this idea can create multiple debates over opinions of the matter. First American Exceptionalism is the idea that America is exceptional to all other countries, the belief that we are dominant to anyone and that nothing stands in our way. The term American Exceptionalism is found commonly used in a political setting, but also affects the normal everyday life of all residents of the United States of America. The idea of American Exceptionalism has been a controversial topic for years now, and many scholarly authors have written their own opinion, or somehow addressed American Exceptionalism in a book or essay. A prime example of this is Thomas Paine’s essay, Common Sense, written around 1775, in colonial times.
Thomas Paine’s essay, Common Sense, brings the idea of American Exceptionalism into play, in …show more content…

Phillis Wheatley was an African-American slave that was part of the slave trade during colonial times. First the thing that demonstrates American Exceptionalism from her is that she could read and write, and was the first African-American woman to have any work published. This fact demonstrates American Exceptionalism because it was one of the first signs of change for slavery in the colonies. A publisher had to read Wheatley’s work and bypassed her race and only reviewed it for the content. Looking back on it now it showed hope for slaves, if Wheatley could do it, why couldn’t they. In Wheatley’s poem His Excellency General Washington she writes of George Washington leading the revolution against Britain. She writes that she likes General Washington and wants the colonies to win the revolution. This is a prime example of American Exceptionalism because she is rooting for the side that is persecuting her and her people. She is a true American hero and

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Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was a pamphlet he wrote to encourage Americans to rebel against the British which led to the American Revolution and America gaining its independence. Paine thesis was destroying America’s loyalty to the British and convince them to revolt. In the pamphlet Paine’s strong thesis on American rebellion on British oppression and some strong key points Paine discussed led to encouragement for the American People to rebel against the British and gaining their independence. Paine sections his pamphlet to four sections called of The Origin and Design of Government in General”, “Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession”, “Thoughts on the Present State of Affairs in America” and, “On the Present Ability of America, with some

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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

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Thomas Paine crafted one of the most influential essays of the American Revolution and the era. Paine’s Common Sense, an anonymous, fervent, and pragmatic seventy-seven-page pamphlet, would convince the American people that it was their destiny to declare independence from Britain. Albeit not as well renowned as other Founders, Paine was able to rally Americans around the idea of independence unlike anyone else. The American Revolution and Declaration of Independence are often viewed as the triumph of Enlightenment ideas. Paine’s contribution to this movement is of the utmost significance.

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“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine The great political philosopher named Thomas Paine did the opposite of what many people would do, he was in contradiction of the government his country had established and persuaded an opposite country do make itself independent from his natal country. One of the most advocate pamphlets towards American independence was the “Common Sense”, which will be stated through the essay along with Thomas Paine’s biography, the importance of an immigrant wanting American independence, and the reasons why it is in America’s interest to be free from Britain. This Democratic man was born at Thetford, England in January 29, 1737.

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“The school lunch program, begun in the 1970s as a result of bipartisan federal legislation, has been by most measures an enormous success. For lots of poor families it’s become a way to count on at least getting one decent meal into their children, and when it disappears it’s catastrophic,” (page 224) In the essay “Schools out for the Summer” Quindlen writes about the problem of hunger in the USA.

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American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.

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Many people are very familiar with the Journalist Thomas Paine, and his work, Common Sense, but many do not know depth behind his words. Despite the fact that many Americans were uncomfortable under British rule, many were too scared to speak up. However, Thomas Paine felt as if America had evolved and no longer needed to be under British rule. In the pamphlet, he displays the arguments of government as a necessary evil, state of nature, the inevitability of British oppression, and the problems with the monarchy. England, the supposed parent country did the exact opposite of what a guardian should do.

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“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.

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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

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In the eighteenth century there was a mix of opposition of independence, and a hope that the new nation would become a home of freedom. Thomas Paine’s argument was that America needs to gain independence from England. Jonathan Boucher believed if God wanted America to be independent it would have happened. A few of the reasons Paine wrote Common Sense was a result of unnecessary wars, monarchical government, and the way Britain treated America.

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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

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“Common Sense” also played a major role in shaping a colonial squabble into the American Revolution. When Paine wrote “Common Sense” many colonist considered themselves to be “aggrieved Britons”. Paine wanted the whole world to be free, his

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Common Sense is considered to be one of the most important documents in American History because it was a big factor in what led to the American Revolution and the United States declaring independence from Britain. Common Sense was published in January, 1776 and later that year, the Declaration of Independence was written. Thomas Paine argues heavily against monarchy and hereditary succession on the grounds that it is against the word of the bible, and that it can cause many issues in societies in which it is implemented. Paine believed that all men were created equal.

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According to Thomas Jefferson, “What is true of every member of the society, individually, is true of them all collectively; since the rights of the whole can be no more than the sum of the rights of the individuals.” Society’s unfairness has been fiercely discussed. The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson and The Most Dangerous Game, by Richard Connell both demonstrated the unfairness of society. There are some similarities and differences with the plot, conflict and the theme which are the three major elements in a story. Theme is the underlying message of a story.

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Common Sense and Its Impact on American Political Thought Thesis: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense articulated the anti-British sentiments of the Colonies in a way so unprecedented that it permanently changed the face of political thought in America. I. Intro: A. Thesis: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense articulated the anti-British sentiments of the Colonies in a way so unprecedented that it permanently changed the face of political thought in America. II.

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