Why Was Thomas Paine's Essay Common Sense Significant to American Independence?

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Why Was Thomas Paine’s Essay Common Sense Significant to American Independence?

Common Sense covers many topics relevant to the time, as the purpose of the pamphlet was to persuade colonists to powerfully support the cause of American independence from Britain, Paine had to make two points clear. The first point was that Americas relationship with Britain has never been a good one. Paine reminds his readers of America’s toxic relationship with Britain during events such as the Stamp Act by stating To say, they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary, we thought so at the repeal of the stamp-act&. As Britain has not treated the colonies fairly in the past, Paine argues that there is no logical reason why the colonists should expect to be treated fairly in the future, overall concluding that Britain cannot be trusted and that the colonies are merely but a tool to Britain. Even if the colonists are able to reach an agreement with Britain, the issues of the past will only repeat once again. New taxes such as the Stamp Act or the Sugar act will arise, and parliament will restrict the colonies once again. Paines point is made clear; independence from Britain is logical because of past experiences and the proof that Britain, with its malice intents, cannot be trusted.

The second point Thomas Paine makes clear was the need for the creation of a democratic republic. Paine supports his argument for the creation of a democratic republic by destroying two already existing practices; first, monarchy, and secondly, hereditary succession. It is not hard to tell that Thomas Paine is no fan of the monarchy, in fact, Common Sense spends a lot of time and does very well at attacking monarchism. To validate his disapproval of monarchism, Paine uses biblical references. Paine used biblical references to remind his reader, who he knows is God-fearing, that God himself has deemed monarchy as evil. Paine states that in the early ages of the world there were no kings, which also meant there were no wars, this is because it is a kings pride that causes chaos within the world. Paine notes that it was the heathens who had kings, and the ancient Jews who had no man as king as God was their only ruler. However, the Jews, under national delusion requested for God to give them a king. Paine goes on quoting what seems like the entire book of Samuel, but he finally reaches the end of the story; The request for a king displeased God, in fact, he was so enraged that he cursed the Jews. Thus, this story is proof that God almighty is a jealous God who deems monarchism as a great sin. However, Paine offers his readers an option; either the scripture is false, and monarchism is still yet to be deemed as evil, or the scripture is true, and monarchism is truly evil. This however is hardly an option, as Paine knows, his readers base their morality on that which the scripture says is moral.

Furthermore, Paine goes on to destroy the practice of hereditary succession, stating that it is &an insult and an imposition on posterity.. Paine states that all men are born equal, but hereditary succession claims that a man can be born a king. While Paine says that a man can grow to deserve certain honors, it does not mean that his child should deserve such honors. No man by birth should have the right to establish his family as a permanent ruler over all others forever, as the man himself may deserve to rule, there is no certainty that his descendants will be capable. Paine goes on to ask where these kings originally got their powers, he says it could be for one of three reasons; either by lot, election, or usurpation. If a king is chosen through an election, then the next man should have to be elected to become king, as the right of future generations should not be taken away because of the actions of the first electors. And if a king usurped his throne, then this right was already taken, and the rule is therefore criminal. Paine also points out the psychological aspect of hereditary succession as well. If a man is raised since birth to believe that he is superior to all others and is worthy of ruling as a king merely because he was born, he will become ignorant and unfit.. Paine also goes on to debunk a common myth that hereditary succession results in fewer civil wars, when in fact, Britain alone had already been through at least eight civil wars and nineteen rebellions. Paine concludes that Monarchy and hereditary succession have produced nothing in the world but bloodshed and ashes. He states that it is a form of government which the word of God bears testimony against, and blood will attend it..

By reminding his readers of the injustices Britain has committed against the colonists, he has exposed Britain as an untrustworthy ally with malicious intent. And by attacking Britains practice of monarchism and hereditary succession, he has revealed that the very foundation of Britain is evil, unbiblical, unstable, and foolish. By making these points Paine was able to effectively speak to the colonists, and in return, be heard. Paines arguments were strong, but it was the simple words and familiar concepts, such as scriptural truths, that allowed his pamphlets to be well received by the colonists. Paines argument for American independence in Common Sense was quickly accepted and executed by the population. There was no longer the talk of fighting for rights under British rule because Common Sense moved colonists to instead speak of Independence from British rule. And in consequence, this caused the awakening of one of the most significant events in all of U.S History; The American Revolution.

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