Thomas Paine and Common Sense
analytical Essay
1085 words
Thomas Paine and Common Sense In early 1776 the sentiment surrounding the idea of revolution was evenly divided in Britain's colonies in America. The feelings were split evenly between those for a revolt, those opposing it and those who were neutral. In January 1776 Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense. The ideas and theories expressed in the pamphlet were very compelling and thorough. Compelling enough to sway much of the undecided colonists to agree that revolt is the necessary course of action. Paine states in the introduction to Common Sense "a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at fist a formidable outcry in defense of custom." This argument is not one of listing injustices or even reasons for revolt but it does provoke the reader to decide if his thoughts are genuine or from not thinking critically about the times and situations. Now that we my "suffer ourselves to examine the component parts of the English Constitution," the faults shall be found. Paine argues one theoretical position that could influence those loyal to the King himself. If the British constitution is a system of checks and balances and the commons are the check on the king then this infers, "That the king is not to be trusted." This brings to light an underlying fault with the way the British system of government is arranged. Paine is against a divided form of government. He feels that simpler government is best. That way the people know whom to hold responsible. He also feels the king did not get better with the creation of a chambered government only subtle. He later states that the system, "hath all the distinctions of an house divided against itself." He then again makes the argument that the loyalists have not opened their eyes to the faults of the British form of government. Paine says that those in favor of the current form of government feel that way "more from national pride than reason." Paine contends that there is no reason to feel loyalty to Britain. He feels that all the actions of Britain are in its self-interest. He feels the colonies would not need defending if Britain would not bring its enemies to the colonies. There would not have been a French and Indian war because the colonies would not be enemies of the French.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how paine's ideas and theories were compelling enough to sway many undecided colonists to agree that revolt is necessary.
- Analyzes how paine argues that the british constitution is a system of checks and balances and the commons are the check on the king.
- Analyzes how paine believes that the british protect their colonies is the same as a sheep's sheep. the british only cares about their north american colonies because they supply raw materials.
- Analyzes how paine concludes common sense by contending that the colonies have an opportunity to make a government the correct way.
- Analyzes jefferson's arguments for the colonists' right to rebel in the declaration of independence, including the theories of consent, natural rights, and self-evident truths.
- Explains that jefferson's pursuit of happiness was not a subjective term. amartya sen argued that true happiness is when the capacities of people are realized.
- Explains jefferson's statement that "governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes." the "long train of abuses and usurpations" committed by the british government were reason enough to rebel.
- Opines that the cost of violating the natural rights of man and the pursuit of happiness is the consent of the governed.
- Explains jonathan boucher's theological argument that christians must obey the constitutions of every nation in which they live.
- Explains that many believed that britain had a fair government because different social classes were represented. the british constitution was the greatest contract of government in the world.
Related
- analytical
- comparative
- explanatory
- argumentative
- The Importance Of Independence In Thomas Paine's Common Senseanalytical essayCommon Sense Essay Thomas Paine’s Common Sense an extremely influential piece of American history that helped shaped the future of our country. It gave many reasons of why the colonies should break away from Britain and declare independence. After being published, it sold well over 100,000 copies in the first few months. Paine was able to make all the reasons of why the colonies should break away from Britain available to many people and was able to convince them that these reasons were strong and worthy.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas paine's common sense is an influential piece of american history that helped shape the future of our country.
- Analyzes paine's argument that the king of britain and being under the monarchy is of no help to the colonies.
- Analyzes paine's point that the king has too much power over britain and the americas. the colonists have no say in what laws are made.
- Analyzes paine's point that if the colonies stay under the rule of britain, people from around the world will not want to migrate to the americas because of how many problems happen under a monarchy.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's common sense was able to give the people of the colonies reasons why they should declare independence from britain.
919 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Thomas Paine's Common Senseanalytical essayThroughout Common Sense, Paine advocated for a republic that was built on equality and property. Thomas Paine was a British colonist who believed it was time to truly be independent from Britain, in his writing Common Sense he spoke bluntly and plainly to win over more colonists for freedom. He takes no time to say that his beliefs are logic and reason based. He begins chapter 3 by writing, ‘In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense; and have no other preliminaries to settle with the reader, than that he will divest himself of prejudice and prepossession.” Paine tells his audience that there is no hidden agenda in what they are about and they can make their decision through their own common sense.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how paine spoke bluntly and plainly to win over more colonists for freedom. he wanted independence and for america to be a beacon of freedom for other countries.
- Analyzes how paine's appeal to logos was highly used in common sense, when he pointed out reasons to break free of britain.
- Analyzes how paine uses ethos to show his sense of morality. his blunt speech shows how caring he is as a leader.
- Analyzes how thomas paine helped influence the revolution, while influencing the declaration of independence. the declaration was written to get alliances with europe.
1015 wordsRead More - Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was a powerful and successful propaganda weapon used to promote his idea of independence from Britain. In order to prove that seeking independence was necessary at this time in history, Paine wrote about the relationship between society and government, his opinions about the British monarchy and the King, and the freedoms he believed had been stolen from the colonists. Common Sense was written in terms that were easily relatable to the colonist of this time period. After they finished reading his work, many colonists’ opinions about the British were swayed by his strong words. Even though Paine arrived in America quite late, he was able to make a significant difference by changing the colonists’ views, which ultimately
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas paine's common sense was a powerful and successful propaganda weapon used to promote his idea of independence from britain.
- Analyzes thomas paine's views on the distinction between society and government, stating that government is an evil, while society is a blessing.
- Analyzes how paine's hatred and concerns about the king and monarchy were another reason he called for a revolution.
- Analyzes how paine argued for starting a revolution before conditions in new england got worse.
- Analyzes how paine called for declaring independence because he felt it was a good time for america to revolt due to its size and navy, as compared to britain's.
- Explains that not all people who read common sense agreed with paine's ideas. he believed the slave trade was a sin and that it was the devil’s work.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's common sense was able to reach a wide audience because he was an understandable writer and used the bible to appeal to his audience.
- Describes thomas paine as the "father of the revolution" who composed and distributed powerful and effective arguments to the masses of freedom-hungry colonists.
1398 wordsRead More - Difference Between Common Sense And The Declaration Of Independencecomparative essayCommon Sense written by Thomas Paine in January of 1776, enlightened its readers and ignited the colonists towards the American Revolution. Common Sense was the first document that established a suggestion towards a constitutional form of government. The foundation of the main points in Common Sense were the upbringing of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in July of 1776 approximately 7 months after Thomas Paine’s work of Common Sense. The Declaration of Independence stated the Americans freedom from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was derived from Common Sense and due to this, they have various similarities. The similarities
In this essay, the author
- Compares common sense and the declaration of independence. both documents call for independence, patriotism, and government and society.
- Compares thomas paine's common sense and the declaration of independence by thomas jefferson. both documents called for the independence of the american colonies under the british crown.
- Compares the declaration of independence and common sense in terms of patriotism. jefferson's tone portrays how tiresome he has grown of the british rule after all the deception towards americans.
- Opines that government and society are similar, although they had different ideas on how to go about it.
- Concludes that both of these writers focus on how americans need to come together as one nation to separate themselves from the british in order to prosper.
979 wordsRead More - Common Senseanalytical essay	The British Parliament has long been a bane to the colonists in the New World, with the passage of all their "acts" to tax us simply because we are more productive. Paine makes his contempt for the current system of government quite clear early on. "Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for even we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamities is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer." (65) Paine clearly believes that the English government falls into the "intolerable" category of governments. Although a system of government is a required entity in almost any society, there are much better ways to govern a people besides the British monarchal system. Paine discusses how the Parliament is set up as a representation of the people, but what good is representation in a monarchy? The monarch still has absolute power, even though a system is set up to make it appear as though the people have a say. This lack of true representation instills a lack of trust towards the king in the British subjects. These factors create doubt in one’s mind about the strength of the British government. Paine questions the government saying:
In this essay, the author
- Explains common sense by thomas paine, with an introduction by isaac kramnic.
- Analyzes how paine's patriotic pamphlet, common sense, conveyed his message. he theorized a split between england and the colonial states.
- Analyzes how paine believes that the english government falls into the 'intolerable' category of governments.
- Explains that the constitution supposes such a power to exist.
- Explains that hereditary succession, as approved by the british constitution, is one of the greater evils of british government.
- Opines that the british are a huge economic bane on american colonists.
- Analyzes how paine believes it is time for a split between the two civilizations, and the thoughts of many others.
- Opines that a separation between england and america is crucial to the survival of america. paine calls for an immediate separation from the british.
1285 wordsRead More - Common Sense Essayexplanatory essayThe colonization of America began when many colonists and settlers from emigrated from Europe and began to settle into the North American colonies. Many came to the North American colonies to look for the opportunity of wealth by conquering and ruling land. Throughout the years, the transformation of the country changed drastically and experienced an era of remarkable growth. As the approach to the 18th century became closer, British America had developed a method of ruling and government in the North American Colonies and with time, America would want fight for their independence from the British. One key event that supported the move toward American Independence included the publication of an influential pamphlet, Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine. Common Sense highlighted the importance in conquering independence from Britain and gave colonists the devotion and self-fulfillment to keep fighting and achieving self-government.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the colonization of america began when many colonists and settlers from emigrated from europe and began to settle into the north american colonies.
- Explains that paine questioned british parliament and monarchy and shared that one honest man was more worth than all crowned ruffians.
- Explains that common sense would be influential to declare independence and guide the second continental congress in creating a written constitution that we now call the declaration of independence.
- Explains that common sense's objective was to put forth many arguments that revolution was necessary to succeed. paine made the importance of independence straight forward.
- Explains the injustices that occurred when colonies were imposed taxations in which made colonists furious. this made them realize that britain could never be trusted.
- Explains that common sense had a great impact and reached all classes of people over the colonies in short time. by spring 1776, this pamphlet gave american colonies the push they needed to fight for their independence of british rule.
- Explains that paine's persuasive argument is one of many reasons why sever of britain was made possible. common sense united average people and political leaders to fight for one common cause.
709 wordsRead More - Essay on Common Senseanalytical essayOne of the most fundamental people in the push for American Independence, Thomas Paine offers much advice in both Common Sense, and The Crisis. Paine offers very strong arguments in Common Sense, which are supported by his own reason, his sensibility, his common sense and by his ability to draw inference from what has already happened. Paine uses every element in his ability to help give more depth to his arguments and plans. However, of all the cases Thomas Paine makes in Common Sense, the ultimate goal of Paine is to incite the American Public to make a stand against British tyranny, and break from Britain altogether, and become independent.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that thomas paine offers strong arguments in common sense and the crisis, which are supported by his own reason, sensibility, common sense, and his ability to draw inference from what has already happened.
- Explains thomas paine's view that all people are born with certain inalienable rights, which by no means a government can reserve the right to take away.
- Analyzes paine's argument that american revolution is justified by the lack of other peaceful means of trying to resolve the issues at hand.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's common sense shows that he is against monarchical government, stating that power is unbalanced and vested in the hands of a single person.
- Explains that while the british have a bigger army and navy, america would be fighting on its own soil.
- Analyzes paine's argument that the colonies should break away from britain, stating that britain is the parent country, and we are her like her child.
- Analyzes how paine tries to establish that the reverend is not the single mind of the whole religious society, and each person's religion comes down to being between that individual and god.
- Analyzes how thomas paine incorporates god into his arguments in common sense and the crisis. he uses god to compare to a merciful government.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's the crisis helps to give moral support and confidence boost to those who have already begun to fight back against british tyranny.
- Analyzes how paine states in the first paragraph of the crisis that there will be those who have spoken out against the british, but now that the fighting has begun, some will not partake in fighting for their liberty.
1188 wordsRead More - Common Sense: A Case for America’s Independenceanalytical essayThomas Paine, in his argument for the independence of America, makes a passionate appeal to the common sense of Americans and launches a scathing attack against England and the king. His argument highlights the tribulations that face America as a result of her continued association with England. First, he discredits the view that America has only flourished because it is allied with England. He argues that America would still have prospered, probably even more than its state at the time, were it not a colony of England. He contends that America would always have a market for its produce, and would thus continue trading and enriching itself without the influence of its European master (Paine 124). Consequently, he does not consider trade an excuse for America to deny itself its independence.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas paine's argument for the independence of america highlights the tribulations that face america as a result of her continued association with england.
- Analyzes paine's second argument for independence. he discredits the opinion that britain is "the parent country to america."
- Analyzes paine's criticism of england, the king, and the entire monarchical system. he debates against the elevation of a select group of people to the position of royals.
- Analyzes how paine criticizes england for fighting america, and yet it was supposed to be protecting her. he likens it to a mother that devours her children.
- Analyzes how paine's arguments appealed to the common american. he argues that there is no difference between royals and their subjects since neither nature nor heavens make a distinction between them.
- Analyzes how paine appeals to the common american by making reference to god, nature and the heavens. he describes america's continued association with england as against the laws of nature.
- Concludes that common sense is an argument for independence that combines elements of emotional, political and religious appeal.
777 wordsRead More - Common Sense: An Influence on American Independenceanalytical essayThomas Paine published his political pamphlet entitled, Common Sense, on January 10th, 1776 in Philadelphia (Claeys). At this time, his pamphlet did a great job of rallying Americans together and even gave the war a purpose: to seek full independence from...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how paine argues that america has the "largest body of armed and disciplined men under heaven" which is needed to break the hold that britain has over the colonies.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's political pamphlet, common sense, influenced many americans to fight for independence from britain.
- Analyzes paine's argument that the american people will be oppressed if they continue to be ruled by the british government.
- Explains claeys, gregory, thomas paine: social and political thought, boston: unwin hyman, 1989. henretta, james a, and david brody, america: a concise history.
1222 wordsRead More - Comparing Thomas Paine's Common Sense and Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independenceargumentative essayThomas 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.
In this essay, the author
- Compares thomas paine's common sense with thomas jefferson’s declaration of independence, stating the similarities and differences in tone between the two.
- Analyzes how thomas paine constructs common sense as an editorial on the subject of the relationship between the colonies and great britain.
- Compares common sense in concept with the majority of the declaration of independence. paine presents his ideas in a persuasive essay style.
- Compares the tone of paine's third chapter, 'thoughts on the present state of american affairs,' with the declaration of independence, which is bold and assertive.
- Analyzes how paine's tone differs from that of jefferson and jefferson. both men knew of the significance of their documents.
- Concludes that jefferson and paine show similar views and intentions in their respective documents. both writers argue that the new states would be better off without the ties to great britain.
1125 wordsRead More