Political commentaries written in modernity are often underappreciated and known as dull. Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. is one of these underappreciated commentaries, though it displays radical and revolutionary thoughts that aimed to change society as people understood it. In his pamphlet, Paine appeals to the American people with basic reasoning to gain support for the American revolution. He proposes a multitude of reasons why monarchies are detrimental to society causing his radical idea of revolution to seem like common sense. However, though Paine is clearly writing for his American audience, his radical ideas against all monarchies are universal.
Paine challenges the current hierarchy of society by attempting to persuade the American people to support American Independence from British rule. He attempts to persuade Americans by appealing to aspiring businessmen and the public. Common
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It is pointed out that if America were a free country then more trading opportunities will emerge, such as trade with “Spain and France” who are currently enemies of Great Britain (22). This insinuates that if America did not have an allegiance to Great Britain, then businesses and trading opportunities with other powerful European countries that currently remain hidden, will reveal themselves. This appeals to the aspiring businessman to support American independence so that their products can be sold throughout Europe without any restrictions based on the British government. The opposition to taxes is another argument for independence that appeals to the commoners. This opposition is shown with the specific Bible verses in the pamphlet that describe a king as a tyrant that will “take your fields and your olive yards...and give them to his servants (14).” The Bible verse serves as a warning that kings will excessively tax their subjects and that this taxation is a crime. Previously, people