What Role Did Religion Play In Common Sense By Thomas Paine

Introduction Thomas Paine's work, Common Sense, was written in 1776. James Chalmers' Plain Truth, written the same year, was a response to what Paine had written. Each was written during a politically divisive time, and the opposing views reflected in each of these documents clearly reflect the sentiments of that period in our nation's history. The thirteen colonies were not of one mind on the subject of whether or not they wanted independence from England. There were strong opinions to support views on either side. As we can see by looking closely at each of these primary sources, emotions ran high on both sides.

In the pamphlet, Paine talks about Great Britain making decisions without consent of the people. He uses examples of disaster and tells the reader “if you have not, then you are not a judge of those who have” (Doc G). The impact of each piece of propaganda fueled the colonists to think for themselves and make a change in the government. This rational thinking was partially responsible for independence from Great

When he stated, “In England a king hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation and set it together by the ears.” it showed both of his objectives in just one sentence (Paine). It showed how destructive and non-pure a monarchy is because all it does is fight and take over other areas, but at the same time it shows how much the colonists need to claim their independence or else they will be in possession of a radical government. Thomas Paine also stated, “For it is the republican and not the monarchical part of the constitution of England which Englishmen glory in, viz. the liberty of choosing an house of commons from out of their own body—and it is easy to see that when republican virtue fails, slavery ensues.” (Paine). This means that the democratic republic is perfect in his opinion but it can’t be perfect when the leader is a monarchy with a king. His use of this simple information allows the common people to understand what he is trying to portray and makes them think the same way he is. Paine’s use of simplicity along with persuasive arguments pushed his views towards people and would eventually lead to the fight for independence in the Revolutionary

Next, Paine contended against the idea of monarchy and hereditary succession. He utilized the Book of scriptures to outline God's judgment of monarchies. At that point he contended that America never again required Britain's assistance, and that

In Common Sense, which was published at this time, Paine argued that the colonies should seek full independence from Britain. His pamphlet convinced many who were unsure of the purpose of the war and

Looking through the history of politics, it can be seen that a majority of cultural, social, and economic issues are birthed from the hands of authors. The French Revolution had Maximilien Robespierre, the Age of Enlightenment had John Locke, and, lastly, the American Revolution had Thomas Paine. Of these revolutions and changes in society, the American Revolution was fundamental in creating the American identity and the residuals can still be felt today. Although there were numerous figures that aided the beginning of the American Revolution, Paine was one of the most influential due to his 48-page pamphlet Common Sense. Published anonymously so as to keep himself safe from the British, Common Sense truly brought the idea of independence from Great Britain front and center to the colonists. In doing so, the masses slowly began to turn on Great Britain and soon realized that independence was coming soon. Paine, with his politically capacity, implemented methods throughout Common that would draw people towards the idea of independence. The first method was to make the claim for independence a global need and reunite the colonies.

The idea of a revolution lingered around the colonies of America and many had mixed opinions of facing their mother country or just being content with the unfair acts that were placed on those who lived in the colonies. Loyalists preferred to live under the unfair acts and wanted to continue to stay united under the king's rule. On the other hand, those that wanted to be free were still wary about a revolution because of the disadvantage that the colonies already had. A Loyalist, Jonathan Boucher, argued the need for a strong government because it was what God would have wanted. In contrast to Boucher’s argument, Thomas Paine, created a pamphlet called Common Sense in January 1776 and focused on the importance of the need for the American

The book Common Sense by Thomas Paine was an American pamphlet written during the American Revolution, which was around the time when America was trying to gain independence from Britain. Paine discusses government, religion, and colonial issues. In the first chapter Paine differentiates between the society and the government. He described the society as being positive and constructive and he described the government being a necessary evil. Meaning the colonist needed to have some form of government to protect themselves from the basic rights. Paine also confronts the British government saying that their government is far too complicated and controversial, and that it would eventually cause problems for the colonists and the hierarchies. He makes up a pretend situation with a group of people on an island who are cut off from the general population. After developing relationships with one another the lawmaking portion becomes unavoidable. Paine says the people will be better off if they make up the rules they have to abide by instead of having set rules the King comes up with himself.

Common Sense was an incendiary document, an attempt to change peoples' minds, influence their opinions, persuade them to want independence and a call to action. In arguing for American independence, Paine criticized the monarchy and argued that people are born into a state of equality. An advocate of natural rights theory, Paine claimed that there are no natural rulers among men (Bill of Rights Institute, 2010). He then proposed a system of representative government for the colonies. Finally, Paine stated his reasons why the time was right for the break from England. The pamphlet was published and widely read (Bill of Rights Institute, 2010). According to Esly Argueta, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence months later, and Common Sense is believed to have greatly influenced support for the cause. The Declaration of Independence was more tranquil and sensible, beginning with an outline of the British and American perception of the purpose of government, then explaining the reasons why the colonies had decided to declare themselves independent and then finishing with a long list of perceived abuses of King George III. Thomas Jefferson uses

He had already written papers about the injustices and cruelties the Americans had to face while being overruled by Britain. Thomas Paine was the only American who had the audacity to write about gaining independence from Britain. He was the one who believed in America and its citizens to become a world superpower, and to grow into making their beloved country special. Written in his essay Age of Reason, he said, “I saw, or at least I thought I saw, a vast scene opening itself to the world in the affairs of America; and it appeared to me, that unless the Americans changed the plan they were then pursuing, with respect to the government of England, and declared themselves independent, they would not only involve themselves in a multiplicity of new difficulties, but shut out the prospect that was then offering itself to mankind through their means,” (44). In this passage of The Age of Reason, he stated his motive to write Common Sense. His motive to write Common Sense was for his patriots and the country as a whole. Not to make his political status rise, but to help America progress as an independent country. It wasn’t about him and his career as an author, but about having colonial unity amongst it’s citizens, and fight together to make America advance. Not only was their motive from the American public, but also from his fellow comrades, like Ben Franklin. They would frequently discuss upon this matter of independence and other international news, and this would have a significant influence into the writing of his persuasive essay. He spent hours daily discussing with his fellow moderns. It is obvious that Paine incorporated the conversations and correspondence with his compatriots into his essay. The long discussions that he had with Ben Franklin and his other friends gave him good ideas and a good understanding of their current situation. These long discussions were

The first similarity between Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson is that both documents called for the independence of American colonies under the British crown. Thomas Paine explained to the colonist the reasons why they should become free from British rule. One of the topics Paine focused on was how the king of Britain abused the rights of the colonist. Some of the mal-practices the crown imposed on the colonist include, the heavy taxation on the colonist to help Britain recover from its war expenses against the French and to help rebuild the nation and wellbeing of its citizens back

In the tumultuous early months of 1776 a Colonial political theorist named Thomas Paine began anonymously publishing a treasonous pamphlet urging colonists to seek independence from the Crown. The concise volume titled Common Sense advocated a revolution in emphatic yet simple language intended for all levels of Colonial society. Paine was highly successful in appealing to the every man, and Common Sense spread quickly across the country. It was so influential and widely read that it is commonly credited by modern historians as being one of the single most powerful catalysts of the American Revolution, a publication so incendiary that John Adams remarked “without the pen of the author of Common Sense the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”

He argues in his book that it was one of the biggest mistakes in history to bring a monarchy succession. Paine thinks it is very important for people to understand that man originally was in the state of equality, which means that inequality was caused by some certain circumstances which are in America’s case, the British occupation. Originally, there were no kings, until the ancient Jews demanded one, and from here it started. Paine considers this as a sin because god only should rule over the people. The ancient Jews asked the prophet Samuel to have a king, at first he tried to dissuade them, but he couldn’t. They insisted on having a king, until they had one. This story in Paine’s opinion must be known by everyone in order to understand what is happening in America, and why they should face it and stop it. A revolution must be held by people who understand the situation, and why it is wrong, Paine had the evidence to prove that the British in America is wrong, and that they must have no king and a heredity succession. Thus, they have to make a Revolution, which is the American Revolution, urging for America’s Independence.

Thomas Paine’s words encouraged the Patriots because he is saying the King shouldn’t get to rule over everyone because he was born into a “royal” family. Paine wrote this knowing it would stir up the revolution. He was willing to be punished for sharing what he believes in. Americans wanted to chose their ruler, that’s why they left England in the first place. If they separate from the British monarchy they can create their own country that is built around their

     Paine went on to speak in more conventional terms about the specific nature of the conflict.  He had anticipated that readers would be startled by his conclusions, and defended against possible objections.  Uncertainty in the British Empire, some caused by disturbances in America, was bad for commerce.  England would continue to drag Americans into European wars that were not their affair, said Paine, and protect them only when beneficial to themselves.  Americans would not require their protection; they already had the means to defend their land.  Distance and poor communication across the Atlantic made the centers of government remote from the colonists. Common Sense stressed the need for and the power of unity among the American