Tradition In Common Sense By Thomas Paine

799 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Thomas Paine in the Revolutionary War

Common Sense was published by Thomas Paine in the January of 1776, the same year that the colonies declared independence from Great Britain. When Thomas Paine published this pamphlet, the colonies were still discussing whether to declare independence. Common Sense was written to try to convince those in favor of reconciliation with Great Britain that independence was the best and only decision. A major theme of Common Sense is the evils of tradition, and how tradition is holding back the colonies. Thomas Paine attacks each point of the opposition with a perfect answer and points out why the colonists are not acting in their best interests.
The first tradition that Thomas Paine attacks in Common Sense is the idea that the colonies need Great Britain to survive: “I have heard it asserted by some, that as America has flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and that it will always have the …show more content…

They believed that they owed something to her because they had all come from her. “But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families […]” (685). At this time, the Native Americans were seen as evil and deadly and were thought to be inferior to the colonists, and of course to the people of Great Britain. Continuing to think in this way, Thomas Paine is trying to get across that even these evil inferior beings treat their children better than how the colonists are treated by Great Britain. Additionally, he is saying that if the savages are better parents than Great Britain, there is definitely something wrong with wanting to keep the relationship. Paine also establishes the idea that the tradition of Great Britain being the parent country is not only wrong, but it is also false. He

Show More
Related

  • English Colonists vs Native Americans: Property Rights in the New World

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    To many of the English colonists, any land that was granted to them in a charter by the English Crown was theirs’, with no consideration for the natives that had already owned the land. This belittlement of Indians caused great problems for the English later on, for the natives did not care about what the Crown granted the colonists for it was not theirs’ to grant in the first place. The theory of European superiority over the Native Americans caused for any differences in the way the cultures interacted, as well as amazing social unrest between the two cultures.

    Read More

  • Comparing Anne Bradstreet, Phillis Wheatley, And Thomas Paine

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thomas Paine’s Common sense from III Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs is about the conflict between New England and America. The Americans didn’t like the way the British treated them so Paine’s stated his issue why America has to be an independent country to save its government and the reasons to wanted having freedom with Britain. Pain gave reason in the text what would happen to the American government if they stayed dependent from England. Paine’s Common Sense spoke out his beliefs about the hardships in America and how he felt America. A quote by Thomas Paine, “The authority of Great Britain over this continent is a form of government which sooner or later must have an end: and a serious mind can draw no true pleasure by looking forward, under the painful and positive conviction that what he calls ‘the present constitution’ is merely

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Patrick Henry And Patomas Paine

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Paine dwells on the differences between government and society. He stresses greatly on the fact that a government should be able to protect its society. Giving life and liberty to its people. He also points out that, Britain is the main cause of enemy to the Americas. Expressing disagreement with the British in American, he criticized the British government. He believes that the monarchy has too much power and their system is unreasonable. Paine complicates matters further when he writes, that the Americans are not British anymore. It is not British in a sense that it is so diverse, with different types of Europeans. In Paine’s views Britain is not a mother country, since it imposes harsh treatments and is in a war too often. The idea of best interest was important to Paine. In his views, Britain sees the Americas as profitable institutions to control and gains riches from, as opposed to the development and freedom of the nations. Independence from Britain was one of many ideas of this pamphlet. “Common Sense”, essentially pointed out the reasons why the colonies should leave the British and form a new government. His views on government inspired “Limited government” and “natural laws”, which gives citizens more control on how they shape their local environment and

    Read More

  • Thomas Paine: The Role Of Typology In American Politics

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    In “Common Sense”, written in 1776, Thomas Paine outlines to the American people that it is common sense for America to push for independence by stating, “But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even Brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families; wherefore, the assertion, if true, turns to her reproach; but it happens not to be true, or only partly so, and the phrase parent or mother country hath be jesuitically adopted by the King and his parasites” (685). This is a powerful example of persuasion in typology because during the Enlightenment, some Americans say that Britain is the parent country to America, thus not wanting to gain independence from Britain and settling with the status quo. Knowing this, Paine uses that mindset to spark a connection in the minds of the people by using persuasion in typology that mothers would not devour their young or make war upon their families.

    Read More

  • Thomas Paine's Role in US Declaration of Independence

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    It was the right time for independence, but the question of if they were actually going to do it arose. This is where Thomas Paine and his pamphlet Common Sense comes into the picture. Paine was from England and came to America in 1774. He was a friend of Benjamin Franklin, where he found Paine a job in Philadelphia. It is in Philadelphia where Paine wrote Common Sense after he met delegates from the Second Continental Congress.

    Read More

  • Reasons For Independence In Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • What Is The Thesis Of The American Crisis By Thomas Paine

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    He questioned the reason why the colonialists could not break ties with Britain. He highlighted all the hardships and believe by many that England and its monarch be believed and revered. Thomas Paine also incorporates religion into his style to all people to his viewpoint the king’s rule is unrighteous “ given us up to the devils” (Digital History). He also mentioned fear as a factor that Britain had employed in other parts, but he thanks God he knew the situation well (Digital History). A Thomas Paine argument was that colonialists should continue fighting even in the face of defeat because giving up would be a greater price pay. According to Thomas Paine, America “will never be happy till she gets clear of foreign dominion.” and America will be in a “worse ruin than any we have yet thought of,” if the colonies don’t unite and continue fighting Britain. This point of view is helpful in understanding how his ideas worked to give an extra push for independence and foresee the crises that would come during the war.

    Read More

  • Difference Between Common Sense And The Declaration Of Independence

    979 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson appeals to patriotism. Jefferson ensures this by persuading the colonists to become self-governing. He tries to let all of the people of the New World understand that they have protested and defended themselves against the British for all of the corrupt acts the British have committed upon the colonists. Jefferson’s tone in the Declaration of Independence portrays how tiresome he has grown of the British rule after all of the deception towards Americans. Included within the idea of patriotism, is the idea of loyalty to the fundamental values and principles underlying American democracy. Thomas Paine also provides patriotism to get advocates for the movement to separate from the British forces. Correspondingly, Paine persuades Americans that they will prosper in numerous areas without the control of the British saying, “Is the power who is jealous of our prosperity, a proper power to govern us? Whoever says No to this question is an independent, for independency means no more, than, whether we shall make our own laws…” (Paine). Paine uses a demanding tone to convince Americans that if they should accept the ties with Britain, it will bring ruin and distress to the

    Read More

  • Common Sense: An Influence on American Independence

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Paine had not entertained the idea of independence from Britain when he arrived in America. He thought it was “a kind of treason” to break away from Britain. It was not until the Battle of Lexington in 1775 that he considered “the compact between Britain and America to be broken” (Claeys). This idea of a broken compact allowed Thomas Paine to write a political pamphlet.

    Read More

  • Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    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. He believed that nothing that came out of the monarchies was good, that America was oppressed and to structured to be run by Great Britain.

    Read More

  • Thomas Paine Common Sense Essay

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thomas Paine had a powerful impact on colonist minds by creating “Common Sense”. Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet that helped cause the Continental Army to form, and to make colonist turn against the British. He influenced the Americans to fight for their rights that the king had taken away from them; their natural born rights. Paine said “If Britain is our motherland, then why would she treat her kids badly?” Thomas Paine also said that we are under the British rule. Thomas Paine stated that the British model gave too much power to the king, so that is why colonist should reject the British model. That is just one of the great impacts Thomas Paine had on the colonist.

    Read More

  • The Relationship Between Society And Government In Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    1398 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • “Paine’s Political Pamphlets; Outline of Rhetoric Utilizing Ethos, Logos, & Pathos ”

    620 Words  | 2 Pages

    Paine’s view of government pertaining to the colonies demonstrated his rhetoric, appealing to the common man. Thomas Paine’s work influenced the nation of today, laying down the foundation and need for patriotism during the revolution. Works Cited Paine, Thomas, Sidney Hook, Jack Fuchsman. The "Common Sense" Common Sense, Rights of Man, and Other Essential Writings by Thomas Paine. New York: Signet Classics, 2003.

    Read More

  • Comparing Thomas Paine's Common Sense and Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Arguments of Thomas Paine and James Chalmers Over the Revolutionary War

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thomas Paine wrote the Common Sense and in this pamphlet he wrote about America’s separation and independence from Great Britain. His argument stated that America is a large continent and we are in charge of our own fate and direction (Paine 107). Paine further explained that people migrated to America to escape the control of the King and his laws. Paine introduced a theory when comparing America to a small island, that it is possible if separated we can come together and make our own laws and run the country as we see fit (Paine 109). Paine believes that we are no longer in need of Britain’s help and that we can eventually form alliances with other countries as we stand alone outside of Britain’s control.

    Read More

More about Tradition In Common Sense By Thomas Paine

Open Document