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How Did The Colonists Seek Independence

Decent Essays

COMMON SENSE 1776
1. The essay seems to persuade the colonies to seek independence. Paine strongly infers that he wants this independence to come about peacefully, but he says that it’s inevitable.
2.
a. This was written in 1776. The Revolutionary War started in April of 1775. When people are shooting at each other in fields, the time for talking it over is presumably long gone. (Given it could’ve been written prior to publishing, but wars take planning.)
b. He blames the English. Just like everyone else in the United Kingdom, nowadays.
c. He’s referring to the New World, what became North America, but more specifically what became the United States.
3. What he says: “This is a very important matter. Every city, country, province, and kingdom, …show more content…

I’d think the side that had soldiers patrolling towns, inviting themselves into people’s homes whenever they wanted to, might’ve been the forceful one. But I’d be wrong.

5. a. “As much hath been said of the advantages of reconciliation, which, like an agreeable dream, hath passed away.” b. The Colonists’ side of the argument. The damage done to the colonies. The benefits of independence. The morality of Britain’s rule.
6.
a. That America will not be happy without Britain’s assistance. b. “We may as well assert that 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 next twenty.”

7. He argues against the fact that Britain cares for the colonies, as anything other than another subjugated land.
8.
a. Britain’s involvement in the colonies’ affairs was because the colonies didn’t have any of their own affairs. Any adversity that came was against the English, and it was dealt with by the English. b. Peace with France and Spain would come.
9.
a. The argument that Britain gave birth to the colonies and they should not break from it. b. Paine claims that it’s because of

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