exam
Ykeara Brooks
The Thomas Paine Campaign
Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” happens to be one of if not the most influential and motivational works of the year 1776 at the beginning of the American Revolution. Not only did it present a viable argument against the need for reconciliation with Great Britain and give a multitude of reasons for the need to depart from the rule of the British monarchy, but it also brought on an increasing sentiment for revolution amongst the colonies and inspired the writing of the Declaration of Independence. This essay will outline the most relevant argument made in Paine’s literary work that lead to its popularity amongst the British colonists, and how its influence lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will also give the opposing views of the many colonists from North America and the Caribbean who remained loyal to the British Empire, and give a sound counter-argument against the ideas of “Common Sense” and the need for a revolution and a Declaration of Independence.
The main reason that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet possessed such mass appeal was due not only to its writing being relatively simple for the common people to comprehend, but it was also due to Paine’s use of biblical ideology to bring the idea of independence against a tyrannical government to reality. During that time period many of the colonists were fairly familiar with the Bible and affiliated with some sort of religion, which may have added to its popularity amongst the British colonists. Paine begins his references to the Bible by proclaiming that, “In the early ages of the world, according to the scripture chronology, there were no kings; the consequence of which was there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throw mankind into confusion.” (Paine, 72.) It is demonstrated here that during the early ages the world was a peaceful place without the rule of kings. From this statement it can be inferred that without Great Britain’s rule the
The Thomas Paine Campaign
Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” happens to be one of if not the most influential and motivational works of the year 1776 at the beginning of the American Revolution. Not only did it present a viable argument against the need for reconciliation with Great Britain and give a multitude of reasons for the need to depart from the rule of the British monarchy, but it also brought on an increasing sentiment for revolution amongst the colonies and inspired the writing of the Declaration of Independence. This essay will outline the most relevant argument made in Paine’s literary work that lead to its popularity amongst the British colonists, and how its influence lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will also give the opposing views of the many colonists from North America and the Caribbean who remained loyal to the British Empire, and give a sound counter-argument against the ideas of “Common Sense” and the need for a revolution and a Declaration of Independence.
The main reason that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet possessed such mass appeal was due not only to its writing being relatively simple for the common people to comprehend, but it was also due to Paine’s use of biblical ideology to bring the idea of independence against a tyrannical government to reality. During that time period many of the colonists were fairly familiar with the Bible and affiliated with some sort of religion, which may have added to its popularity amongst the British colonists. Paine begins his references to the Bible by proclaiming that, “In the early ages of the world, according to the scripture chronology, there were no kings; the consequence of which was there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throw mankind into confusion.” (Paine, 72.) It is demonstrated here that during the early ages the world was a peaceful place without the rule of kings. From this statement it can be inferred that without Great Britain’s rule the