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How did thomas paine contribute to the american independence movement
Thomas paine and the declaration of independence
Thomas paine view on independence to us
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Paine justifies the need for separation by explaining that the colonies have little to gain from British rule. If the states become independent, they have more opportunities for commerce with the rest of Europe. He also stresses that, if they were to remain attached, the same problems they have had in the past will reappear. The conflict of British need for profit and the American desire for autonomy could only be ended by declaring independence.
In his discussion, Paine argues out that apart from gaining international respect, America would advance its own security and commerce by being able to trade with other partners in Europe and the globe. He mentions that all Europe should benefit from America’s goods not only Britain. He explains that by saying British are not the only people who settled the continent but different parts of Europe, so British should not be the only European country to benefit from the colonies. As a result of all the reasons above, the colonies needed no reason to continue submitting to Britain authority and should gain their
If all that was said about Thomas Paine was true, then I don’t see why we don’t recognize him as one of the Founding Fathers. Jefferson, himself, even stated that Paine did as much labor as any other man. The only reason I can think that we as Americans haven’t officially recognized him as a Founding Father is because of all that was said about him. Thomas Paine had a way with words and freely expressed them without a care. In 1794, there is an excerpt on Christianity in the book The Age of Reason that was very harsh.
Chris Shannon: Mr. Paine, how did you get to America and what was your role in the American Revolution? Thomas Paine: At first, I was an excise officer in England. I was dismissed, though, after writing that a raise in pay would be the only way to end corruption in the field. I was lucky enough to run into Benjamin Franklin while he was in England though, and he told me that I should move to America and gave me some contacts in the colonies, so I could get a job once I moved there (Foner) I arrived in America on November 1774 and went to work for the Pennsylvania Magazine for about a year and a half.
“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.
Throughout his writing Paine makes many different arguments based on simple common sense such as the fact that England is only a small island while America is a large continent. In addition, Paine makes the argument that it is unreasonable to expect America to stay under the control of England because of the fact that most Americans were descended from the English. Paine states that by that type of reasoning England should be ruled by
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
Paine is against America having a connection with Britain and a single person having power. As Paine expresses, King George III is not and should not be able to be in power of the colonists because mankind is created to be equal and therefore kings should be “disapproved by nature” (Paine 217). Not only does Paine express his anger at the topic of a ruler for all, he also voices that America is connected to whatever Britain does and whatever problems Britain has: implying that America has no say what so ever under Britain (Paine 218). Paine is suggesting that Britain is not only hurting but also is subordinating America and its colonies, so a declaration of independence is in need.
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.
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.”
One thing he says is whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin because of her connection with Britain” (pg), to prove his point that Britain hurts America’s potential economic prosperity. America is not directly involved in the conflict, but because America is a British colony, their trade is affected negatively. Thomas Paine feels as if America will have tremendous economic opportunities by disengaging with Britain and building alliances with other European countries. When discussing their connection with Britain and their potential with the rest of Europe he states “I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge; not a single advantage is derived.
In an interaction with Thomas Paine through his essay “The Age of Reason,” I noticed many saddening facts about his life. One belief Paine puts forth in his essay is that he believes in one god. However as the reader continues, Paine explains that he does not believe in the God of the Bible, the Trinity, or any such thing. The question that surfaced as I finished reading his piece was, “if Paine’s god is not the one defined by the Bible, then what god does he believe in?”
“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.
I was wrong. In Thomas paine's, Common Sense, he writes to persuade the Americans to fight for their independence from Great Britain. The British and the Americans had a bad relationship that created strong tension and conflicts. In comparison, my uncle and aunt also had an unhealthy relationship that needed to end. My aunt fought for her independence from my uncle and their marriage through divorce.
Paine stated that when the colonies finally succeed in obtaining their freedom from Britain, America would benefit from trade with other countries. However, obtaining freedom would be difficult because many countries did not want freedom for the colonies. Many countries in Europe wanted to get a piece of America for themselves. The global significance of the American struggle for independence was human rights and freedom. 3.
