Thomas Paine's Pamphlet During The American Revolution

Thomas Paine: Common Sense Thomas Paine writes his pamphlet during the American Revolution which served as an inspiration for the American colonists to free themselves from Britain. Paine firmly believes that independence from Britain is needed; America should be a free port and lose all ties from Britain. He reasons that the current constitution is temporary and a new one should be formed. All of the laws were established and enforced by the British government so the American people had little say in politics. Paine’s anonymous writings inspired the motion towards freedom. The Americans were finally starting to see the need for separation from their ties with Britain. There is no need to look to Britain for guidance to anymore. America was

Paine is challenging Britain’s control which served as a form of government over the colonists. Paine is very straightforward and brutal with how he presents his beliefs. He believes that Europe is the mother country, not Britain for “A mother would not harm her children so brutally.” Thomas strongly encourages the American Revolution. Britain is controlling and is ignorant of the Americans in terms of how they are treating the colonists. Some examples of British control are the temporary stop of trade, the Stamp Act and the Quartering act. In reaction, the Sons of Liberty and other riot groups are formed after the Stamp Act is introduced. Laws and taxes are imposed on the colonists without their representation. The Sons of Liberty are a violent group of people who impose serious threats towards stamp distributors and tax collectors. On page 23 Paine quotes, “Quiet methods of peace have been unsuccessful.” Pain willingly supports the idea that it is worthwhile for the entire continent to take up arms. England was despised by other countries. Keeping ties with England will only cause the continent to be involved in European quarrels. Paine sees no need to be connected to Britain anymore. Over time, the growing nation will mature and a new form of government will emerge. Britain’s old ways of governing are not working and Paine is able to target

First, he suggests that a new constitution should be drafted. The American people should work with the representatives in congress cooperatively. Paine suggests that each colony should send their own representatives to congress. The congress would assemble once a year to elect a president. The lottery system would be used to decide which colony has delegation once the president is selected. The presidential election was done by the all the colonies and the one chosen colony from the lottery would have delegation until the next election. Three-fifths of the congress had to pass the proposed laws and to elect the president. Paine believes that government officials should not have full power. The congress, which is comprised of the colony’s representatives, will share a balance of power with the president. The priority of the elected officials should be to represent the people. They should not make hasty decisions without consulting with the people. In dealing with foreign affairs, America should lose all ties with Britain because many European countries despised them. The officials should do what is in the flimsy nation’s best interest to grow and succeed in separation from