American Colonialism In Thomas Paine's Common Sense

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Thomas Paine is the author of Common Sense, that was published in 1776. He was an influential figure during the American Revolution, and his words inspired a shift in the colonial identity, resulting in colonials not viewing themselves as British subjects, but now as independent Americans. This paper is focused on Paine’s success in changing people’s understating of national identity, his central arguments for a separate American identity, and finally how Paine argued against the monarchy and why were American colonist so indulged to his writings. In Common Sense, Pain decides to take action and urges the colonials to rebel against the authority of their home country. He begins by convincing the colonials that the government is evil. …show more content…

Paine declares his problems with the British monarchy, he says they are essentially being liars because they are a country where they believe all men are created equally, but yet they have a king. This is how he argued against the sanctity of the monarchy, he argues that the idea of kings originates from the Bible, when the Jews asked the prophet, Samuel, for a king. According to Paine’s sources, Samuel warned the Jews of the outcomes of having a King but they did not listen. This is why Paine is convinced the kings come from sins. This is how Paine was so successful in changing the peoples’ understanding because they were strict on religion. Paine is saying that there is no real reason to have a king because they have generals and judges, therefore, the duties of a king are meaningless. Paine concludes the monarchy has only produced nothing besides a wrongful …show more content…

Common Sense is easy to comprehend, and that is Paine 's goal. He presents these arguments so that the common man is able to understand. He stresses that the time for independence is now and presents strong arguments as to why the time is now. With the importance of raising a navy and pointing out the corrupt government, Britain has America under, Paine illustrates that independence is America 's top priority. Until America declare independence from Britain, the colonists "will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity" (44). Paine could not have explained the importance for America to be an indepent

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