On Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" by Matthew Felsted
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Thomas Paine argues for American independence from Britain in his book "Common Sense". He argues that dependence on Britain causes more harm than good, that America’s grievances are beyond reconciliation, and that it just flows with nature and the design of the Almighty that America should be independent. He implies the destiny of America is to establish equality, grant rights, and form its own government.
Thomas Paine argues that dependence on Britain causes America more harm than good. Britain is a global power with global enemies that pursue her on nearly every inch of the western world. If the colonies were independent, than the enemies of Britain would no longer be America’s enemies. "Let Britain waive her pretensions to the Continent, or the Continent throw off the dependance, and we should be at peace with France and Spain, were they at war with Britain."1 Britain’s enemies have nothing against Americans, but would attack them mainly to indirectly attack Britain. "France and Spain never were, nor perhaps ever will be, our enemies as AMERICANS, but as our being the SUBJECTS OF GREAT BRITAIN."2
When speaking of early American government he implies the destiny of America is to grant rights and equality. He says, "Securing freedom and property to all men, and above all things, the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; with such other matter as is necessary for a charter to contain."3 It is America’s right and destiny to establish its own government, as he puts it, "A government of our own is our natural right"4.
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As Paine sees it, Britain’s problems shouldn’t be our problems. Many of the early colonists fled from the problems in Britain and overall in Europe. People left Europe to escape persecution and tyranny. Why should we be ruled by the source of our ancestor’s persecution? "Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still."5
America and Britain are beyond simple reconciliation: "As much hath been said of the advantages of reconciliation, which, like an agreeable dream, hath passed away and left us as we were, it is but right that we should examine the contrary side of the argument, and enquire into some of the many material injuries which these Colonies sustain, and always will sustain, by being connected with and dependant on Great Britain."6 There had even been an attempt to establish peace under more agreeable terms for the Americans with the Olive Branch Petition, but even that was rejected. When Britain rejected this, some believed they were forcing independence. "Third, and most important, colonists came to believe that the British government was forcing them toward independence by rejecting the Olive Branch Petition and instead enacting a "Prohibitory Act," which closed the colonies to all overseas trade"7
According to Paine, independence flows with the natural order of the universe and even the designs of the Almighty. Paine says, "The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth"8. His use of this language implies natural glory. Britain is a mere 360 miles wide. It’s an island. An island shouldn’t rule a continent. With this reasoning he states, "Small islands not capable of
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protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island."9 However, it is not just the size of the parent country, it is the distance. In fact, it is so far away that it would seem to be against God’s designs, according to Thomas Paine. "Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America is a strong and natural proof that the authority of the one over the other, was never the design of Heaven."10 Britain is just too far away. Britain’s rule over America is not ordained by the Almighty.
He even addresses the other side of the issue. One argument for maintaining dependence on Britain is that many colonists are descendent from Britain. Paine shows that this is not a good reason. America no more owes it’s parent country the right to rule than it does France. As most Americans were descended from the English, the original king was French.
Some argued that America has depended on Britain since it’s colonization and that if we were to abandon it things would fall apart. Paine refutes this with the apparent error of a similar statement, "We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty."11
Throughout the short book, there are strong feelings of the need for independence. He presents simple facts and persuasive arguments. He alludes to God and nature to favor his side. With various tactics he moved the colonies with a simple book. Hundreds of years ago he saw America as it is today, an independent nation. He argued for the destiny of America to be the way it is to this day, fulfilled in freedom.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Thomas Paine, "Common Sense," Chapter 5, p.3 (from CD "Experience History Interpreting America’s Past").
Paine, Ch. 5, p.3.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.11.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.11.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.3.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.2.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.1.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.2.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.7.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.5.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.3.
Thomas Paine argues for American independence from Britain in his book "Common Sense". He argues that dependence on Britain causes more harm than good, that America’s grievances are beyond reconciliation, and that it just flows with nature and the design of the Almighty that America should be independent. He implies the destiny of America is to establish equality, grant rights, and form its own government.
Thomas Paine argues that dependence on Britain causes America more harm than good. Britain is a global power with global enemies that pursue her on nearly every inch of the western world. If the colonies were independent, than the enemies of Britain would no longer be America’s enemies. "Let Britain waive her pretensions to the Continent, or the Continent throw off the dependance, and we should be at peace with France and Spain, were they at war with Britain."1 Britain’s enemies have nothing against Americans, but would attack them mainly to indirectly attack Britain. "France and Spain never were, nor perhaps ever will be, our enemies as AMERICANS, but as our being the SUBJECTS OF GREAT BRITAIN."2
When speaking of early American government he implies the destiny of America is to grant rights and equality. He says, "Securing freedom and property to all men, and above all things, the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; with such other matter as is necessary for a charter to contain."3 It is America’s right and destiny to establish its own government, as he puts it, "A government of our own is our natural right"4.
Page 2
As Paine sees it, Britain’s problems shouldn’t be our problems. Many of the early colonists fled from the problems in Britain and overall in Europe. People left Europe to escape persecution and tyranny. Why should we be ruled by the source of our ancestor’s persecution? "Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still."5
America and Britain are beyond simple reconciliation: "As much hath been said of the advantages of reconciliation, which, like an agreeable dream, hath passed away and left us as we were, it is but right that we should examine the contrary side of the argument, and enquire into some of the many material injuries which these Colonies sustain, and always will sustain, by being connected with and dependant on Great Britain."6 There had even been an attempt to establish peace under more agreeable terms for the Americans with the Olive Branch Petition, but even that was rejected. When Britain rejected this, some believed they were forcing independence. "Third, and most important, colonists came to believe that the British government was forcing them toward independence by rejecting the Olive Branch Petition and instead enacting a "Prohibitory Act," which closed the colonies to all overseas trade"7
According to Paine, independence flows with the natural order of the universe and even the designs of the Almighty. Paine says, "The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth"8. His use of this language implies natural glory. Britain is a mere 360 miles wide. It’s an island. An island shouldn’t rule a continent. With this reasoning he states, "Small islands not capable of
Page 3
protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island."9 However, it is not just the size of the parent country, it is the distance. In fact, it is so far away that it would seem to be against God’s designs, according to Thomas Paine. "Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America is a strong and natural proof that the authority of the one over the other, was never the design of Heaven."10 Britain is just too far away. Britain’s rule over America is not ordained by the Almighty.
He even addresses the other side of the issue. One argument for maintaining dependence on Britain is that many colonists are descendent from Britain. Paine shows that this is not a good reason. America no more owes it’s parent country the right to rule than it does France. As most Americans were descended from the English, the original king was French.
Some argued that America has depended on Britain since it’s colonization and that if we were to abandon it things would fall apart. Paine refutes this with the apparent error of a similar statement, "We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty."11
Throughout the short book, there are strong feelings of the need for independence. He presents simple facts and persuasive arguments. He alludes to God and nature to favor his side. With various tactics he moved the colonies with a simple book. Hundreds of years ago he saw America as it is today, an independent nation. He argued for the destiny of America to be the way it is to this day, fulfilled in freedom.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Thomas Paine, "Common Sense," Chapter 5, p.3 (from CD "Experience History Interpreting America’s Past").
Paine, Ch. 5, p.3.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.11.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.11.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.3.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.2.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.1.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.2.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.7.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.5.
Paine, Ch. 5, p.3.