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Pros And Cons Of Thomas Paine

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Thomas Paine’s Arguments in Common Sense in Favor of Independence
Second Draft For Review
Will Collins
Thomas Paine published Common Sense in January of 1776 at a tipping point in the American Revolution. The Colonies had been in rebellion nine months after the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord. Washington’s army was had set siege to Boston. However, there was a large number of colonists that were undecided about the wisdom of revolution and independence. Many colonists still felt emotionally attached to the mother country and the king and many questioned how revolution and war would bring peace. In addition, given the relative wealth (and low taxes) of the Colonies, many questioned the wisdom of separating from their main …show more content…

However, turning the argument on its head, Paine suggested Great Britain’s imperial nature was already hurting American trade and that America should be more connected to Europe. Monarchies, according to Paine never seem to rest and, as such, Great Britain and its king would always threaten the peace of the Continent. Being allied with England, “sets us at variance with nations, who would otherwise seek our friendship, and against whom, we have neither anger nor complaint.” (14) Instead, he reasoned, “…as Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while by her dependence on Britain…” (15) Paine again used familial metaphor to complete the argument “…Europe, and not England, is the parent country of America.” …show more content…

He said, “time has found us” (18) as if it were a God-given fact. By using Biblical interpretation and culturally reachable metaphors, Paine was able to construct compelling arguments for independence within the intellectual and, more importantly, within the emotional reach of most colonists. These arguments were instrumental in the Americans finally declaring independence within six months of the publication of Common Sense. Literature Cited
1. Thomas Paine. Common Sense. Mineola, NY.: Dover Publications, 1997. 9.
2. Paine, Common Sense, 11.
3. Paine, Common Sense, 20.
4. Paine, Common Sense,

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