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What Are Paine's Arguments For American Independence

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During the American Revolution separation was either supported by patriots, opposed by loyalists, or impartial to neutrals. 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 …show more content…

He presented the monarch as evil, corrupt, and unjust, infringing upon the rights of the American people. He stated that supporting a corrupt and broken government would disable one’s judgment, therefore lacking the ability to recognize a good government. Paine criticized hereditary succession by opposing the law that some men are naturally born superior to others. The hereditary succession of Kings would undoubtedly place a “fool” on the thrown, leading the country into a state of turmoil and confusion. Common Sense argues that the amount of bad kings outnumbers the amount of good kings and that although certain Kings achieve honor, their descendants can be unworthy of inheriting this honor. He also uses religion to argue that a King presupposes idolatry, which is heresy. By establishing a monarch, the people are choosing to serve a king, instead of God. (Paine, 2004) Paine utilizes pathos to impose fear upon his readers, by presenting the image of a jealous and angry …show more content…

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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Thomas Paine, the voice of the Revolutionary Era enlightens the common people’s mind about independence. He could have been one the Founding Fathers of Independence, but he is not. He was the distributor of the written literature read by many in Colonial America and including the Gorge Washington and his army. Paine came to America from Great Britain to start a new life in a new world that had the potential to become the first democratic nation known to humanity. Thomas Paine, the author Common Sense, conveys the arguments of why America should become independent of the unnatural treatment of the British Monarchy, and if America wants to relinquish all ties to the crown, they must go to war to gain freedom and a new world.

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During the America Revolution period, many pamphlets were written in support of or in opposition to the growing independence movement of the American colonies. One of these authors was Thomas Paine, a thirty nine year old English immigrant in 1776 who worked as a journalist in Philadelphia. Paine opposed King George III policies towards the colonies and supported independence of the American colonies. (Shi, Tindall 147) One of his pamphlets was “The American Crisis, Number 1”, which was written December 19th, 1776 in the New England area while he was marching with George Washington’s Continental Army.

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He emphasizes for the people to avoid an oppressive government. In the second section “Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession,” Paine argues that people are equal. He questions if people are equal why should a king be determined by his family. “In the early ages of the world, according to the scripture chronology, there were no kings; the consequence of which was there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throw mankind into confusion.” (Common Sense)

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To what extent did Thomas Paine’s Common Sense promote the movement for independence in the USA from 1776 to 1783? The pamphlet, Common Sense influenced and encouraged Americans to fight for independence from Britain. Paine wrote in simple English so the masses could understand. The pamphlet served as a big push towards independence because it gave reasons why America should split from British rule, such as taxes, the unfair monarchy and that independence is inevitable but when is the question.

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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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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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Thomas Paine was very effective when he made his arguments for America’s independence because of his extensive analysis of possible counterarguments for each of his arguments. His arguments had their weak links but he successfully supplemented these weaknesses through appeals to pathos and ethos. He mainly advocates for the principle that governments are for the people and by the people and through this he shows how the current conditions of the time reflect the opposite of that principle with Britain’s handling of the colonies by talking about how the monarchy is too powerful and by using other matters of state as examples. One instance of this is when Paine writes that “if we omit it [a constitution of our own] now, some Massanello may hereafter arise, who laying hold of popular disquietudes, may collect together the desperate and the discontented, and by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the Continent like a deluge.” Imagine if a “Massanello” did arise like Paine posited would be likely with the temporary measures Britain had taken to remedy the instability, and which would mean the American people would have to face the fate of the South American nations after they became independent with insane social

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The author begins by invalidating any rally for peace maintained by the loyalty of hereditary succession, saying “The whole history of England disowns the fact” (Paine 21), followed by evidence of the many civil wars fought by the English. By evaluating these facts, the reader is able to clearly see how hereditary succession does the opposite of its purpose: it establishes quarrels and thwarts peace. Paine also considers the belief that the British government is credited with American prosperity, and because of this, Great Britain will always be of necessity to America. Though Paine refutes this immediately comparing the belief to these absurd notions: “…because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the nest twenty” (Paine 25). Paine even disproves the necessity of reconciliation between the colonies and Great Britain with two major points.

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“It is wholly owing to the Constitution of the people, and not to the constitution of the government that the crown is not as oppressive in England as in Turkey.” We should give power to someone who is fair and not self-centered. Paine stated “from the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom” to advise us to avoid repeating the past in the future from learning about bad past experiences. Paine argued for American’s separation from England by comparing the Kings that Great Britain has had to what a government should be

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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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He starts by analyzing the past, saying that if any mistakes were made, they “have none to blame but ourselves” (IN TEXT). However, he counters this with the idea that they cannot change the past, but embrace its effects and move on. Next, he appeals to the logic of his Puritan beliefs. Paine says that he believes that “God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction” (IN TEXT). This gives the reader a sturdy base to place their hope, which he later increases by calling the king out for his murderous and unethical actions, and claims that the king has no grounds to seek support or solace from

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