What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Thomas Paine was born in Britain, on January 29, 1737. Paine's formal education lasted only until the age of thirteen, at which point he began working for his father. Eventually, took low-paying job in tax-collecting, educating himself further in his free time. In 1772, Paine was fired for publishing an article arguing that raising tax-collectors' salaries would reduce corruption. Shortly thereafter in London, Paine met Benjamin Franklin, who convinced Paine to move to America.

Paine emigrated to America in late 1774, only a few months before the revolutionary war began on April 19, 1775. Paine immediately became involved in American political life, editing Pennsylvania Magazine and writing a variety of articles. After the first battle of the war, Paine began to argue that the American colonists should seek complete independence, rather than merely fighting to free themselves from unfair British taxation. Paine made this argument in his pamphlet Common Sense, which first appeared in January, 1776, and immediately became popular and widely read. Paine's ideas played a central role in rallying public opinion and were an important precursor to the Declaration of Independence, which was written six months later. The pamphlet thrust Paine into the national spotlight, earning him a prestigious government appointment later on during the war.

The roots of the war for American Independence can be traced back at least as far as the French and Indian war of 1763. Although the British won this war, they incurred immense costs, and began to increase the monetary burden placed on the American colonies. With the Townshend Acts of 1767, Parliament imposed new taxes in the American colonies, and although these were repealed in 1770, the tax on tea remained. Colonial frustration erupted in 1773 at the famed Boston Tea Party when Americans stormed a ship owned by the British East India Company and dumped large volumes of tea into Boston Harbor. In retaliation, the British Parliament imposed a variety of restrictions aimed at reasserting their control over the colonies.

These measures, known in America as the intolerable acts, spurred the convening of the first continental congress in 1774. Although the American colonies now had a centralized forum in which to discuss policy, their path was far from clear. Even after a battle erupted on April 19, 1775 at Lexington and Concord, the colonies lacked a clear plan. Opinions on the purpose of the war with Britain and the future the colonies varied widely. Many, of the delegates to the continental congress were not convinced that complete independence was desirable.

In Common Sense, which was published at this time, Paine argued that the colonies should seek full independence from Britain. His pamphlet convinced many who were unsure of the purpose of the war and played a profound role in influencing the opinion of laymen and lawmakers alike. Common Sense was crucial in turning American opinion against Britain and was one of the key factors in the colonies' decision to engage in a battle for complete independence.

The literary work most often credited with inspiring the American Revolution was a 47-page pamphlet called Common Sense. Published on January 10, 1776, and written by Thomas Paine, a recent immigrant from England, it caused everyday Americans to begin seriously thinking about an independent United States.

At the time of its publishing, America was a country already at war. The Siege of Boston was in its eighth month, following the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the terrible fight at Bunker Hill. The Second Continental Congress had been meeting since the previous May in Philadelphia, and rebellion was in the air.

To fully appreciate Common Sense, you must consider it from the perspective of someone living in colonial America at that time. All the colonists had ever known was a state of dependency on England and a government run by a King. Now Common Sense challenged them to consider separating from that powerful nation and replacing the King with something called a democracy.

Importantly, Paine put Common Sense into the words of the everyday man, not the rhetoric of those educated at Harvard or William and Mary. He wrote it so those gathered in taverns and coffee houses and around kitchen tables could understand its meaning.

Paine begins his work by explaining that people form societies to gain security. He declares, “Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil.” The goal of the people, therefore, should be to find the form of government that “appears most likely to ensure it (security) to us, with the least expense.”

Paine then discusses why a hereditary monarchy like England’s is the worst form of government, one with no natural reason to exist. He points out, “all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his family in perpetual preference to all others forever.” Those words rang true in the minds of most Americans.

Next, Paine gets to the core of the argument, offering “nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” about why a complete separation from England is the best course of action for the American colonies.

Paine famously states, “The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth.” He believes, “Now is the seed-time of Continental union, faith, and honour” and any chance at reconciliation with England ended with the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Given the recent bloodshed, most Americans heartily agreed.

Additionally, as Paine points out, Great Britain’s motive in protecting America “was interest, not attachment; she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her own enemies on her own account.” America was just an asset to be protected, and that alone was its value to England.

Paine mentions the false claim that England was the “Mother Country” suggesting the existence of a maternal attachment. As Paine explains, colonists fled to America “not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster.” Moreover, he reminds his readers that less than one third of the inhabitants in America were of English descent, a point most colonists overlooked.

He further argues that America, even though it is in its infancy, could sustain her independence. As he sees it, the population of America is “sufficiently numerous”, and the continent possesses virtually limitless natural resources. His words gave encouragement to the colonists that they were up to the task at hand.

Given the bloodshed already expended, Paine also questions the wisdom of reconciling with England and entrusting her with our future safety. He writes, “Common sense will tell us, that the power that hath endeavored to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us.”

He closes with a practical reminder that “while we profess ourselves the subjects of Britain, we must, in the eyes of foreign nations, be considered as Rebels.” Thus, only by a full declaration of independence, could America truly justify its righteous cause in the eyes of the world.

Paine’s well-reasoned argument resonated with everyday Americans and his timing was perfect. As they say, the rest is history.

WHY IT MATTERS

So why should Thomas Paine’s Common Sense matter to us today? When Common Sense was published in January 1776, Paine’s work helped turn the general population in the colonies away from a reconciliation with Great Britain to a complete separation and an independent America.

Paine took a concept previously discussed primarily in political circles and made it into an American public debate. As Thomas Paine pointed out, common sense dictated America should declare its independence.

SUGGESTED READING

Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, is a must read for all Americans. It provided the inspiration to hundreds of thousands of our ancestors to declare America’s independence.

PLACES TO VISIT

The Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, New York is on a small parcel of the farm given to Thomas Paine by the State of New York in 1784 for his services to the country. The house, completely renovated in 2009, and the adjacent museum are worth a visit.

RELATED POSTS

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Nov 15, 2022

Northern Campaign Ends with Battle of Valcour Island

Nov 15, 2022

The Battle of Valcour Island, which took place on Lake Champlain, was the closing scene of the Northern Campaign of 1775-1776. It was one of the first naval battles of the American Revolution and, although a tactical defeat, it was a strategic victory for the American cause.

Nov 15, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Nov 8, 2022

Americans Retreat After Failed Assault on Quebec

Nov 8, 2022

General Guy Carleton, the man in charge of British forces in Canada, chose to return to the safety of Quebec’s walls after repelling the American assault on the city instead of venturing out and attacking the remaining Americans. With the death of General Richard Montgomery, Colonel Benedict Arnold assumed command of the American army outside Quebec and, despite the setback, refused to give up on the conquest of Canada.

Nov 8, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Nov 1, 2022

Assault on Quebec Ends in Disaster

Nov 1, 2022

On December 26, General Richard Montgomery assembled the key officers in his army besieging Quebec City to discuss their next steps. The bombardment of the city had failed to convince British General Guy Carleton to surrender and there were only five days remaining until the enlistments of most of Montgomery’s men expired and they left for home. There was grumbling in the ranks that the retreat should have already started.

Nov 1, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Oct 25, 2022

Americans Commence Siege of Quebec

Oct 25, 2022

With the capture of Montreal by General Richard Montgomery and the presence of Colonel Benedict Arnold’s force of 600 men on the Plains of Abraham, Britain’s foothold in Canada had dwindled to about one square mile, the area within the mighty walls of Quebec City. Now the defenses of that fortress would be tested by a band of determined Americans.

Oct 25, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Oct 18, 2022

Benedict Arnold’s Army Reaches Quebec

Oct 18, 2022

After clearing the Height of Land, Colonel Benedict Arnold’s army on its way to capture Quebec City believed they were on the downhill slope to their destination, but their hardships were not finished. The area which they just entered was poorly mapped, and Arnold’s regiments paid the price for this lack of knowledge.

Oct 18, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Oct 11, 2022

Arnold’s Army Marches into Trouble

Oct 11, 2022

When Colonel Benedict Arnold’s army reached the Great Carrying Place on October 11, 1775, they had been moving north on the Kennebec River for almost three weeks and had advanced eighty-four miles. The American militiamen were on their way to assault Quebec City, the crown jewel of British Canada. The time originally estimated for the entire journey to Quebec was about twenty days, and the anticipated distance was 180 miles. Neither Arnold nor the men were aware they had another 300 miles to go.

Oct 11, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Oct 4, 2022

Benedict Arnold and the Perilous March to Quebec

Oct 4, 2022

Benedict Arnold’s expedition to the gates of Quebec City in the fall and winter of 1775 is widely regarded as one of the greatest military marches in history. Arnold, despite his sullied reputation due to his traitorous behavior later in the war, was one of America’s most gifted field commanders, and his tremendous leadership skills were put to the test on this perilous journey.

Oct 4, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

Sep 27, 2022

The Continental Army’s Largely Forgotten Invasion of Quebec

Sep 27, 2022

The first significant offensive operation of the American Revolution was the largely forgotten invasion of the Province of Quebec by American troops in 1775. It was the opening act of the greater Northern Campaign of 1775-1776 in which the American colonies tried to wrest control of Canada from England. Although it did not end well, there were moments of incredible bravery and perseverance that demonstrated the resolve of our founding generation.

Sep 27, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

May 31, 2022

Loyalists, King George and the American Revolution

May 31, 2022

The American Revolution was not viewed the same by all Americans. Roughly one in four Americans, those we call Loyalists or Tories, did not want to separate from England. They represented a significant portion of the American population, and many of them were prominent citizens. Importantly, they had worked as hard to create America and believed as much in the righteous of their cause as any Patriot.

May 31, 2022

What was the purpose of thomas paines common sense

May 24, 2022

Patriots, Loyalists and America’s First Civil War

May 24, 2022

With the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the actual fighting of the American Revolution was underway. As it turned out, this open warfare was not reserved just for the new Continental Army formed around Boston and the British Army trapped in the city. It soon spilled over into a fight between neighbors.

What was the point of Common Sense by Thomas Paine?

Common Sense was an instant best-seller. Published in January 1776 in Philadelphia, nearly 120,000 copies were in circulation by April. Paine's brilliant arguments were straightforward. He argued for two main points: (1) independence from England and (2) the creation of a democratic republic.

What are the 3 main ideas of Common Sense?

Common Sense.
Of the Origin and Design of Government..
Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession..
Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs..
Of the Present Ability of America..

What was the purpose of Thomas Paine's Common Sense quizlet?

Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in January 1776, but it was not published as a pamphlet until February 14, 1776. He wanted people to think about what was happening. He explained that the people must fight against the unfair and unjust ways of King George III and the British Parliament.