How Did Thomas Paine Contribute To Independence

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense written in 1776 compelled the American colonists to separate from their mother county, England. Paine asserted at the time that England only cared about its own economic status and cared little for the colonies (84). With this, Paine addressed that in the event of revolution, the colonies would prosper due to home field advantage and the heart and passion the militiamen have (123-124). Most importantly, after having dealt with England’s superiority, independence and a representative government would arise in the minds of the colonists (66). According to Paine, independence would not lead to inevitable war; independence would lead to a more unified America with a stronger economy and a centralized government that

Paine wrote Common Sense in order to convince the colonists that it was time to separate because they were not in charge of their economic well-being. For over hundred years, the American colonies had been dependent on England, their mother country, because she offered aid and support (83). However Paine stated, England was only concerned with its own well-being and economic interest and cared little for the colonies (84). The colonists “plan is commerce, and that, well attended to, will secures the peace and friendship of all Europe; because it is the interest of all Europe to have America as a free port. Her trade will always be a protection, and her barrenness of gold and silver secure her from invaders” (86). When England saw the colonies had expanded and became self-sufficient England become worried. The American colonists were able to provide for themselves and even had a surplus to trade with

Paine began to describe the American colonies have formed and established a central form of government “with a President, representation more equal, and their business wholly domestic and subject to the authority of a Continental Congress” (96). The America colonists already established themselves politically and needed the support of all colonists. Loyalists believed that if the English government was overthrown the colonies would not flourish and could not function without the help of Europe; the colonists would not allow one terrible government to be replaced by another (66). After being taxed, trade being regulated, and the colonists having to follow British laws, they stepped up and took the challenge to create a new government that relied on the people and was equal representation for all. Paine states, “a government which cannot preserve the peace, is no government at all” (94). The British government was like this because in order for the colonists to pass a law, Britain had to approve of it. Since a body of water separated both, the law took forever to get passed, if Parliament choose. At first it was normal, but the longer this went on the colonists easier the colonists became impatient. The colonists then “point out the necessity, of establishing some form of government to supply the defect of moral virtue” (66). The colonists then successfully