Thomas Paine's Arguments Against The Declaration Of Independence

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Ratified on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is a document that solidified America’s separation from their mother country, Great Britain. The policies issued by the King were the leading causes for separation. According to the Declaration, the King has “refused” and “forbidden” actions that benefit the people of America. Thomas Paine, who held similar views against Great Britain, wrote a pamphlet entitled “Common Sense” that sparked the need for a revolution. He made numerous arguments as to why the rule of Britain over America was absurd. A common thread amongst his arguments was that Britain used America for “their own benefit.” This was a major change in thinking for Americans. Britain, unarguably, one of the most powerful empires in the world …show more content…

He writes in his understanding, that his ministers had not done wrong. He became enraged at the fact that Americans seemed to want independence. Despite the obvious reconciling sentiments, the king thought a war of independence was sure to follow. He states, “If you have no regard to the Connexion that has for Ages subsisted between us...Your Wealth, your Honour, your Liberty are at stake...” By stating this, the king wanted to instill fear among American colonists to deter them from pursuing freedom. He implies that they depend on the British Empire for guidance and freedom. If they want to fight for Independence, they will lose the luxury of being free and all the help and support they receive from the British Empire will be retracted. Now Americans understood that Britain saw them only as a disposable resource. This shift of thinking is evident in the Declaration of Independence. It states “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these