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Ideas And Philosophies Of New Yorkers During The American Revolution

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The American Revolution was a period of great change in colonial America, with the people of New York being no exception. The fight between Patriots and Loyalists forced New Yorkers to make a choice. The options were to support the rebellion or to remain loyal to the British crown. I believe that abstract ideas played a significant role in the decision-making process of New Yorkers during the Revolutionary Era. The ideologies and philosophies that influenced New Yorkers in 1775 and 1776 were varied and complex. For the colonists, these abstract concepts created a unified foundation of beliefs an ever-changing time.
At the heart of the American Revolution was the idea of liberty, with many colonists feeling that their freedoms were being infringed upon by the British government. In Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” he argues for independence saying “Until an independence is declared the continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is …show more content…

John Locke published his “Second Treatise of Government” in 1689 and this created the idea of self-government that would influence colonists and even the Declaration of Independence. One of his significant quotes supporting this concept is “Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.” Patriots everywhere began to use Locke’s philosophy to justify their own revolutionary thoughts. The idea of self-government was particularly important to New Yorkers, many of whom were merchants and businessmen who valued autonomy and resented British attempts to regulate their

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261 Words | 2 Pages

Common Sense was published anonymously before America’s independence. It was an instant success and was quickly available in all thirteen colonies. Britain’s high taxes, particularly the Stamp and Sugar Acts, and America’s lack of representation in their own government had frustrated many colonists. The author of the pamphlet, Thomas Paine, argued for immediate independence from Britain. He framed government as nothing but a necessary evil to protect humanity from its own vices, and said that it should only be judged by its ability to protect life, liberty, and property.

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528 Words | 3 Pages

Common Sense challenged the power of the British government and the royal monarchy. The words that Thomas Paine used made the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. On this day in 1776, Thomas Paine published his pamphlet, stating his arguments for approval of American independence. Although it’s only used a little today, pamphlets were an important way to spread ideas in the 16th through 19th centuries. Recommended independence for the American colonies from Britain and is considered one of the most influential pamphlets in American history.

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244 Words | 1 Pages

In The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, reflecting off of the Social Contract theory they discuss the details of life, liberty, and property. They also state that although society is being governed, they still have the abilities to make amendments, speak their mind as well as argue their point of view at the same or at anytime. The Declaration of Independence is a persuasive argument throughout the written document. In the month of August in 1775 the Britain’s declared the colonies to be in state of rebellion, the Battles of Lexington and Concord was what began the war between America and Britain. In the winter pamphlet, Thomas Paine’s common sense turned people in colonial and there opinions toward the

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743 Words | 3 Pages

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’s Common Sense and Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence were both articles that added fuel to the fiery American Revolution. Both articles were influential in their day because of their strong diction and convincing appeal. They both captured the essence of the colonist agitation in the mid-seventies, encouraged Americans to become more aware of their conditions, and frowned upon the actions of their absolute ruler, the King of Britain. However they had some distinctively different ideas and purposes. While the Declaration of Independence focused more on outlining the basic rights of men and providing rationale for the American Revolution, Common Sense urged people to become aware of the right violations and mistreatment

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442 Words | 2 Pages

The researcher based on Common Sense by Thomas Paine. During the argument Paine argued that it was absurd for an Island to rule a Continent, that America could avoid European conflicts by being free of Great Britain and that London was too far from America to rule it, and that the King and Parliament would inevitably rule for Britain’s benefit, not Americas.(James Roark, Michael P.Johnson,2015, p.169). Thomas Paine eloquent arguments influenced a large part of the undecided group to support American independence. Thomas Paine use good arguments for the declaration of independence. Common Sense made an argument that was impossible to deny he said the separation from England and described the revolution as not only achievable but inevitable.

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126 Words | 1 Pages

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. Some of the reasons Paine wrote Common Sense is because of unnecessary wars, monarchial government, and the way Britain treated America. Regardless of Paine’s popularity with Common Sense, Jonathan Boucher was a minister who explained his opposition of the revolutionary movement in his sermons. He believed if God wanted America to be independent it would have happened, and it is our duty as citizens to obey the laws because we will be disobedient to God.

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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.

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Jerry Urizar English 3 1/11/17 Common Sense In 1783, Britain had officially recognize the independence of the U.S. This was achieved by the hard working colonists who have united together to take down their oppressors. At first, the thought of breaking away from Britain was unheard of, but one man has brought the people to their senses. This person is Thomas Paine, who wrote, “Common Sense”, which helped inspire the colonists to fight for their freedom against Britain.

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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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260 Words | 2 Pages

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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1374 Words | 6 Pages

In 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, home to Thomas Paine, to achieve two objectives: list American grievances and plan for resistance against British rule, thus creating the Declarations of Rights and Grievances (Norton, 2012). From 1774 to 1775 resistance movements were gaining momentum against Britain, however a statement of total separation from the monarch had not been explicitly declared. A year later, in 1776, when Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was published, American independence gained support. Paine’s Common Sense, which argues against the corruption of a ruling monarchy, condemns British treatment of Americans, and advocates America’s “natural right” to institute a new government presents compelling arguments for an American declaration of independence. This pamphlet held its popularity because it plainly presented arguments towards independence in “a formula anyone could understand” (Oliphant,

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766 Words | 4 Pages

Common Sense was an important stepping stone towards independence. Thomas Paine was a person who advocated and supported egalitarian principles. He believed that all people are equal and deserved equal rights and opportunities. Thomas goal was to influence to people in the Thirteen Colonies to stand for independence from Great Britain. The thirteen colonies were a group of British colonies on the east coast of North America.

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654 Words | 3 Pages

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.”

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635 Words | 3 Pages

Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all Lovers of Mankind are affected, and in the Event of which, their Affections are interested (Paine, 1776)”. Thomas Paine disagrees with the British government and the way they handling business he encouraged Americas to declare their independence. The Declaration of independence was a documented created by Thomas Jefferson that announced the split from the colonies and Great Britain, it. The Declaration of Independence states “we hold these…all men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights...that when any form of government becomes destructive... It is the right of the people to alter or abolish it (Jefferson, 1776)”.

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