How Did Common Sense Affect The Declaration Of Independence

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The “Declaration of Independence” is widely considered by history lovers to be one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. There was another document that came really close to knocking the declaration of independence out of the water and that was written by Thomas Pain, he called it Common sense. There has been no paper in history ever written that would challenge the effect on the declaration of independence like "Common Sense” but somehow it had as great an impact on American history. This medium pamphlet, signed "Written by an Englishman," was only 48 pages. Benjamin Rush a Philadelphia physician recognized Thomas Paine's ability as a writer and encouraged him to prepare a pamphlet considering the question …show more content…

At the time of publication, independence was certainly not an obvious choice to support for most colonists. In The Story of the Declaration, Ira G. Corn Jr., a distinguished History fanatic, wrote, "...'Common Sense' was a spirited contribution to revolutionary thought in the colonies in early 1776," (Page 86). "Common Sense" was a huge factor in persuading the masses to support the revolution," (ABC- CLIO). It was written in very plain, simple language so that most commoners could read it, unlike the writing style of the “Declaration of Independence." The audiences of "Common Sense" and the "Declaration of Independence" are one major difference between the two documents. The Declaration was designed to address Europe, and was specifically intended to draw powerful allies such as France and Spain. Therefore, unlike “Common Sense," it is written in a much more formal …show more content…

Though the Declaration shares many common aspects with "Common Sense", the document also strays frequently from the pamphlet. The Declaration was written at a time when the Revolution was already going on. After Common Sense was written, the British troops were evacuated from Boston and patriots drove loyalists from Moore's Creek Bridge, North Carolina. The Continental fleet captured New Providence Island in the Bahamas. The Declaration was not written to change opinions, contrary to “Common Sense." It simply stated formally what was already