First, public opinion had a huge impact on the Declaration of Independence because of protests created by colonists, impactive writing like Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, and acts given to colonists like the Intolerable Acts and the Tea Act. The Olive Branch Petition affected the Declaration because the entire reason for it being created was for the purpose of claiming the rights of Americans but also staying loyal to the British Crown. Parliament didn’t read it, which angered the colonists. This began new protests by the colonists who thought that they deserve rights. Also, Thomas Paine’s writing affected the Declaration because one writing, Common Sense, discussed how the colonists needed independence, which changed minds of many people
In the American Revolution, Tories questioned giving up the stable government and protection of the British in return for an unknown American government ("Better a tyrant 3000 miles away than 1000 tyrants 3 miles away" or something like that). Fears of a possible move to remove the elite from positions of power further disquieted them. Patriots, on the other hand, approved the reasoning of Thomas Paine in Common Sense and Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence and supported war with Britain in an ultimately successful effort to gain independence.
He expressed his passion for independence through his published papers, “The American Crisis” in a motivating and persuasing tone that inspires Americans to fight for their freedom. For example, Paine says, “tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered, yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” (Paine 406). He uses strong, provoking words like comparing Britain to hell in order to anger colonists about Britain’s control over the colonies. He ultimately wants to unify the colonies to fight against them even though the fight might seem difficult because of the unlimited power that Britain has over them and many defeats that they have experienced. Paine also expresses his hatred towards the Tories by stating “ every Tory is a coward; for servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism [...] your conduct is an invitation to the enemy (Paine 407).
The idea of all men are created equal is specious because there were Slavery, and women did not have equal rights as men. Sources A, B, C, D, show how the statement “all men are created equal” is hypocritical. The Declaration of Independence, from Source A, provides the reader that the Declaration of Natural Rights is false. In Source B, the letter from Abigail Adams shows how men had “unlimited power,” and women did not have the ability to vote, own property, or speak out in Congress. In Source C, it conveys how Slavery provoked unfair rights, embittered lives, and the loss of natural rights.
I believe that Paine had an advantage over Jefferson, because being born poor allowed him to see the world from the common man’s perspective. In Common Sense excerpt chapter 5 it is written in simpler text, therefore easier to read allowing it to reach more people in the colonies. Jefferson on the other hand, was raised by a wealthy family and had a good education. The Declaration of Independence, in Appendix A-2, which he wrote targeted the scholars of the colonies. Jefferson does not mention the slaves in the Declaration, he feared that by doing so could split the young nation, weaken, and divide it.
Thomas Paine was an American Revolutionary writer whose work opened the eyes of Americans. He was born in Thetford, England on January 29,1737. He dies June 8,1809. Paine was a citizen of France, England, and America during his life. He was either extremely loved or extremely hated by people because of his strong and different opinions.
(110) Furthermore, he moves ahead to support the revolution in the colonies and says that Americans have been steady to the point that they no longer need support from Britain. Additionally, he uses some kind of phrases that move people’s emotions. According to Paine, “How possible that a small island, means Britain, thousand miles away takes control over a
Thomas Paine: Common Sense Thomas Paine writes his pamphlet during the American Revolution which served as an inspiration for the American colonists to free themselves from Britain. Paine firmly believes that independence from Britain is needed; America should be a free port and lose all ties from Britain. He reasons that the current constitution is temporary and a new one should be formed.
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
Due to his many experiences while living in Great Britain, he grew a desire to fight for the oppressed and often questioned the authority the British Monarchy had over the American colony. Thomas Paine wrote an influential Pamphlet “Common Sense” a scathing attack on the monarchial tyranny over the American colony and the significance of American independence. Thomas Paine’s ideas in this pamphlet were not original, however were more accessible to the masses due to the clear and direct way he wrote. His pamphlet helped to inspire The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence contains a list of grievances against King George III and justifications for the assertion of the right for independence.
Thomas Paine's Common Sense and The Declaration of Independence both speak against the heinous acts committed by the British and the stripping of natural human rights. Some of these natural rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Both documents advocate the separation from Great Britain. The colonist's belief in the superiority of the republican self-government based on the natural rights of the people found its clearest American expression in Thomas Paine's Common Sense and The Declaration of Independence.
“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.
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.”
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” Thomas Paine said during the American Revolution. The American revolution was thought to be a hopeless battle. America was out numbered, out gunned and out resourced. Yet America was able to beat the British because of many heroes and leaders.
During the writing of “The Declaration of Independence”, Thomas Jefferson go to great lengths to describe why the colonies were choosing to separate themselves from Great Britain. This is done not only so readers will have a detailed description of what the American people were facing while being ruled by the King. The vivid depiction of all the cruelty he has shown towards the people. Furthermore, the lengthy, highly descriptive examination of all the wrongs and showing that the colonists made many appeals to the King but also the people of Britain that the reader now feels as if it is wrong for the Colonies to be under Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson begins by detailing the ethical standings of all people that live within the colonies.
