Thomas Paine Common Sense Essay

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Thomas Paine’s Common Sense In Thomas Paine’s Common Sense he starts off by arguing for American Independence. Paine’s argument starts with more general, theoretical argument reflections about the government and religion, and then he goes onto the specifics of the colonial situation. Paine had a really strong purpose, which was to convince people that independence is a must. He knew that the ideas he was bringing forth people would reject because they were so new. He wanted the people to clear their minds of the long- held notations, apply common sense, and adopt the cause of America. The setting took place during the American Revolution before December of Independence. Pain begins by telling the difference between government and society. …show more content…

But, government on the other hand, is an institution whose main purpose is to protect us from our own vices. Pain goes into depth about how the government is in the evil of man, so therefore it is evil at its best. Paine says that “government’s sole purpose is to protect life, liberty, and property, and that a government should be judged solely on the basis of extent to which it accomplishes the goal.” Paine argued and felt that man, was born into a state of equality, and the distinction that has arisen between king and subject is an unnatural one. Paine argues that Britain did bad things and opposed Americans unfair taxes. “Colonies have little to gain from …show more content…

I think that he is right. I think this because during that time people were so small minded. And what I mean by small minded is that whatever someone would tell them they would just go along with it. They weren’t really taught to think for themselves. They just knew if someone was in charge you go along with what they’re saying whether they knew if it was right or wrong. The people’s minds weren’t clear and like Paine said he wanted the people to clear their minds of anything they were told or knew and apply common sense. I really agreed with him on those points. Paine was definitely right because the people didn’t know anything else besides what they were told by the people who were in high positions like government. They automatically assumed people in government are right and they know what they’re talking about, but honestly a lot of the people who were in government didn’t know much itself, but what they did know was very corrupt. And that’s what Paine wanted the people to see, these people in government or high positions have corrupted your mind to thinking their way is the only way and what they have taught you is the only way. They honestly saw the people in the colonies as fools, and stupid because how easily they could get them to believe whatever they say and go along with it. That’s why Paine felt they needed to be able to see this for them before it’s too late to do something about the

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