Up until the American colonies had become established, the colonists were highly dependent upon the military and economic support of Great Britain. Though the colonies Britain’s only concern was profit and not the wellbeing of the colonies, especially in Boston, the desire for this support, as well as the necessity, dissipated. As this happened, two groups were formed; the Tories, who supported staying with England and loyal to the king, and there were the Whigs, who supported liberty and patriotism and wanted the right to self-government. The colonists did not want to secede from England until they felt it absolutely necessary, by which point news of the British military occupation in Boston was spreading throughout the colonies, and with …show more content…
Of these articles, “Common Sense,” by Thomas Paine was likely the most popular. The reason for this is that he wanted what the people wanted; a leader that was in the colonies and would rule to the benefit of the colonists. Written in January of 1776, “Common Sense” made many bold and profound statements about the king and England’s reign over the colonies. Paine introduces his ideas by stating that it is “exceedingly ridiculous,” that in England’s monarchy, parliament has “[excluded] a man from the means of information, yet [empower] him to act in the cases where the highest judgement is required,” in order to attract the attention of his readers (Paine, 2). In response, the colonists spread his ideas of independence as being “Common Sense,” and stating that “Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do,” alluding to the Bible when Jesus asked forgiveness for those who were to crucify him, suggesting that fighting against independence would be fighting to be subject of England’s “barbarous and hellish power,” (Paine, 2, 5). Thomas Paine argues that no man or woman should have control over any person or territory by stating “that in America the law is King,” as it should be in all free countries (Paine, 5). Thomas Paine closes his article by stating that “a government of our own is our natural right… that it is infinitely …show more content…
Many arguments were made against independence that “when this war is proclaimed, all supplies from foreign parts will be cut off,” leaving the Colonies subject to the will of the Canadians and “to the numerous tribes of savages,” who would, without hesitation, seek revenge on the colonists (Leonard, 2, 3). Another argument that seems to neither support nor oppose the prospect of independence is that “a love of Freedom is a predominating feature which marks and distinguishes the whole,” implying that such a thirst for freedom as is present in the colonies could lead to its ruin (Burke, 2). But, when news of the Boston Massacre spread throughout the colonies, although quite exaggerated, had the effect of pouring fuel onto an unlit fire of kindling and gunpowder. The Boston Massacre occurred March 5, 1770, when British soldiers fired into a crowd of people after a Whig protest of merchants selling English goods. But, the spark that ignited the war did not come until four years later, when the continental congress addressed parliament for a repeal of the Coercive Acts that was blatantly ignored. When it became clear that there was to be no repeal, the colonists began to prepare for their war for independence which
Click here to unlock this and over one million essays
Show MoreAt the beginning of the war, everything was in array and no one could agree on anything, disorganization and uncertainty overwhelmed everyone. Organizations that were meant to be unifying factors for the colonists, like the Continental Congress, were little more than debating clubs that had to work for weeks before they could come to a decision. As time went on and the Tea Act was put into place the rage of the people made them grow closer. By the eve of the American Revolution, Parliament’s aggression towards the colonists had drawn a distinction between the colonist’s political, economic, and social ideas and those of the British. Colonists had embraced a new identity that helped fuel their resistance against Britain (American Identity and
The idea of independence from Great Britain, it is something that is so commonplace a thing that I think very little of it on a day-to-day basis, but there was once a time when it was not so common, there was even a time when many thought the idea of fighting for independence was a foolhardy or reckless move and we were better off under the rule of Great Britain. This was not necessarily an incorrect way of thinking as Great Britain had provided the colonies with resources that would have taken far longer to develop for themselves. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense a pamphlet that encouraged this new way of thinking and urged the people of the thirteen colonies to fight for their independence from Great Britain, as their help was now seeming to become a hindrance.
“Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavored to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us.” Such words scribed by the Revolutionary radical Thomas Paine epitomized the drive behind the American Revolution of the 18th century. For nearly two hundred years, the citizens of the American Colonies had been fastened securely to the wrist of the mother country, England. They had tolerated the tyrannous rule, but not without the simmer of rebellious thoughts. As England piled tax after tax onto their colonies, thoughts of revolution and revolt sprung up in the minds of the colonists and brewed there, waiting for a catalyst to drive them into action. The catalyst ignited on January 10th, 1776 when Thomas Paine published his fiery pamphlet ‘Common Sense’. The 48-page pamphlet presented before the colonists a vision for independence that had never been conceived before. It radically altered the course of the Revolution and would later find itself molding the foundation of America’s government indefinitely.
Thomas Paine, in the pamphlet Common Sense, succeeded in convincing the indifferent portion of colonial society that America should secede from Britain through moral and religious, economic, and governmental arguments. Using strong evidence, targeting each separate group of people, Thomas Paine served not only to sway the public 's opinion on American independence, but also to mobilize the effort to achieve this ultimatum.
July 4th of 1776 is arguably the most significant day in American history. On this day, the thirteen British colonies won their independence from Great Britain, their mother country at the time. The war that allowed the colonies to gain their independence was, of course, the American Revolution. One reason the colonists’ declaration of independence was understandable was because after an extended period of salutary neglect, the British started imposing laws on the colonies. Another reason was that the British violated colonists’ rights by implementing the Proclamation of 1763. A third and final reason the colonies were correct in breaking away from Great Britain was that although the colonists were not represented in British Parliament, Great Britain still taxed them. The thirteen British colonies were absolutely justified in seceding from Great Britain because the British started to enforce laws after a long period of salutary neglect, they violated the colonists’ rights by passing the Proclamation of 1763, and the colonies were required to pay taxes even though they were not represented in Parliament.
In 1775, the American colonists were faced with a question that would lead to everlasting consequences on their newly developing nation. Due to the several unjust taxes Great Britain had forced them to pay, colonial America was torn into two. Those who sided with Great Britain became known as loyalists; however, those believed the colonies should declare independence became known as the patriots. Patrick Henry, a passionate American patriot, advocates to declare war upon the tyrannical nation of Great Britain in the speech “Speech in the Virginia Convention” that he delivers to the delegates at the Virginia Convention. Patrick Henry’s purpose in writing this speech is to inform the delegates that war with Great Britain is necessary and to encourage
Thomas Paine published Common Sense in 1776, anonymously likely because there was no freedom of press at that point in time. Right away it was a best-seller in the colonies as well as Europe. His pamphlet got the common people to realize the problems with the British and how they were power hungry in controlling the colonies. Paine’s two major points in Common Sense were independence from England and creating a democratic republic. His writing appealed to the people because of the way he wrote it. He used the language of the people and made many biblical quotes. Even though Paine was not religious, he knew the readers were. (Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, 2008-2014) His introduction in Common Sense still remains true today. “The cause of America is, in a great measure, the cause of all mankind. 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. The laying a country desolate with fire and ...
The British deserve the taxes we pay for their protection in the French and Indian War, and the rejection of the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act is unjustified. Also, the Boston Tea Party was a poor and illegal way to protest, and should not be viewed as a positive event in the patriot’s fight for freedom. Finally, the information that is causing a patriot uprising in the Colonies is highly biased, and not based completely off of truth. While the patriots may believe that independence is the Colonies’ best option, based on the reasons given, loyalty will ensure economic success with Britain at the helm, grant us protection from the largest army in the world, and keep peace, to avoid fighting a completely one sided war. The question the Colonies must ask themselves: if one puts the brash and impulsive thinking aside and examines the true facts, is a war really worth the time, money, and
In the work of Thomas Paine, "Common Sense" Paine mentions throughout of the working for a positive government with the idea of equality. Thomas Paine writes different excerpt that give theories and idea with the goal of implementing those ideas into a government that may be just and fair. Paine reflects on the English constitution specifically the crown. Paine also provide an insight to having a higher power to run a government. Paine also criticizes the idea of monarchy and hereditary succession. Complications would ultimately arise through his ideas and theories due to the differences in religions.
Common Sense During the late 17 hundreds the American colonies were split between separating from Great Britain or not. Some colonists felt they did not need to leave the rule of Britain, while others saw potential for the American colonies without Great Britain parliament. In the pamphlet titled Common Sense, Thomas Paine expressed his beliefs to separate from Great Britain in order to achieve greater opportunities for the Americans.
The Intolerable Acts of 1774 greatly fueled the First Continental Congress. In response to the Boston Tea party, the British Parliament decided that a series of laws were needed to calm the rising resistance in America. “One law closed Boston Harbor until Bostonians paid for the destroyed tea. Another law restricted the activities of the Massachusetts legislature and gave added powers to the post of governor of Massachusetts.” As one can imagine, the American colonist viewed this as the British attempt to curtail their quest for independence.
Through many means of protest such as the Boston Tea Party, boycotting British goods and products, and the formation of many protest groups such as the Sons and Daughters of Liberty that made it possible for the colonists to fight off the English influence. The Boston Tea Party in Boston was a major factor when it came to the independence of America because it showed that the colonists could work together and formulate a plan such as disguising themselves as Mohawk Indians to intimidate the enemy and successfully dispose of hundreds of barrels of tea into the Boston Harbor. Now with cause comes effect, the cause was that the English had lost a lot of money and profit once the tea was disposed of, but the major reaction of the English was to retaliate. England had sent an increase in troops to the colonies to oversee what was happening with the formulation of protests and the British government had also passed the Intolerable Act, which closed down the harbor to repair any damage caused by the actions of the Boston Tea Party, and made it so that more restrictions were put on the colonists for their actions. As a result of this act being put into place, the colonists had also retaliated by forming the First Continental Congress which was a meeting of the delegates of the thirteen colonies except Georgia because Georgia was a state that homed debtors and criminals. As stated in Document E, “A Declaration by the Representative of the United Colonies of North America, now met in Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms.” This has showed that the colonists would do anything and everything within their power to rid the colonies of the oppressive and selfies rule of the British empire forever even if it meant violence and death would be a result of their
For over a century Great Britain had ruled the colonies in America. Since the founding of the Chesapeake Bay colony in the south in 1607, and the Massachusetts Bay colony in the north in 1630, the colonies had relied on the crown for many of their needs. Over time the colonists established a social and economical system that was almost independent of the British Empire. In April of 1775, after many transgressions on both sides, the colonists decided that they no longer needed, or wanted the support, protection, and leadership of the country that founded them. There were many factors, both immediate, and longstanding that lead to the decision to fight for freedom from British rule.
Thomas Paine constructs Common Sense as an editorial on the subject of the relationship between the Colonies and Great Britain. Through the paper, he hopes to educate his fellow Americans about this subject. In his introduction, he says he feels that there is 'a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong'; which 'gives it a superficial appearance of being right'; (693). He is alluding to the relationship, also calling it a 'violent abuse of power'; (693). This choice of words is similar to those of Jefferson, who asserts that the king had established an 'absolute tyranny'; over the states. Both men set an immediate understanding about their feelings towards the rule of Great Britain over the States. However, where Common Sense seems to be an opinionated essay, Thomas Jefferson writes somewhat of a call to battle. Paine generally seems to be alerting his readers to the fact that there is more going on than they are aware of. Jefferson, on the other hand, begins his declaration by stating, 'When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another'; (715). Unlike Paine, this seems to presuppose that readers are aware of the plight of the nation, and Jefferson is announcing that the time has come to take a stand.
The man with the most impact that changed history was Thomas Paine. He created a pamphlet called Common Sense . Not only did he have an impact he had a somewhat negative life. His burial was very awful. Paines beliefs in religion was different from other people. That belief caused him to create a book the age of reason.