Thomas Paine's Common Sense: The Period Before The American Revolution

1271 Words3 Pages

Freedom of Two Documents The period before the American Revolution was a contentious time between the English colonies and the motherland. Having been under the yoke of the English mainland for the last 120 years with little influence on the political process, rumblings about independence and self- determination began to resonate throughout the land. The issue that was keeping people from embracing it was loyalty to the crown, a dependence on the British government for supplies, and the powerful British military. Eventually it became the responsibility of individuals to help stoke the fires of revolution and help convince the common man towards the noble cause. Common Sense was a series of pamphlets that was written by Thomas Paine. A journalist …show more content…

The wording used in Paine’s Common Sense are captivating. He used it to draw attention to the issue and to allow those who read it to tie themselves emotionally and religiously to the current issue, yet the Declaration of Independence is more of an action plan that speaks for the present. For example in Common Sense, Paine says: “the governing kings the worshiping of false idols, a form of government which did not result from divinity or from nature—but rather from the “heathens” conquered their way into power against the will of the people” (Pamphlet 2 Common Sense). Then The Declaration of Independence states: “all are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. Between these two there are similarities. However, the first explains the faults in the current system while the second document tells of the rights all man are endowed rights by their creator. Neither of these rights are allowed under a monarchy. Both, however, explain the necessity of ridding themselves of the king. They both, moreover, point out many faults of the king and the expectations and reactions of the people. The need for a Constitution is also expressed in both The Declaration of Independence and Common Sense. One last difference between the two is that the Declaration of Independence announces our independence and states we can be friends in peace but enemies in war with

Open Document