Synopsis of thomas paines common sense
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Economically, too, America is in a strong position because it has no national debt.
Analysis
Before he arrived in America in 1774, Thomas Paine had a fine series of failures behind him: a onetime corset-maker and customs officer born in Norfolk in 1737, he travelled to the American colonies after Benjamin Franklin, whom he had met in London, put in a good word for him.
Paine was soon editing the Pennsylvania Magazine, and in late 1775 began writing Common Sense, which would rapidly cause a sensation throughout the Thirteen Colonies.
His time spent editing the Pennsylvania Magazine allowed him to hone his persuasive writing skills. Even if all colonials were English and must bow to England’s authority, then England itself, conquered centuries ago by French adventurers, should therefore bow to France.
America is so far from Europe, and its discovery so convenient to Europeans fleeing the outbreak of religious conflict—“as if the Almighty graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years” (28-29)—that American independence seems inevitable.
Those who campaign for renewed harmony haven’t visited Boston, where food is scarce and soldiers fire on the citizens, and where the true nature of the rulers is revealed.
Reconcilers also believe that things will settle down and the authorities will become lenient.
Writing Style and Accessibility
Paine’s writing style is direct and engaging.For Paine, government is a ‘necessary evil’ because it keeps individuals in check, when their inner ‘evil’ might otherwise break out.
Paine then considers the English constitution, established in 1689 in the wake of the Glorious Revolution. He cites various passages from the Old and New Testaments in support of his argument.
For example, he discusses 1 Samuel 8 in which God punishes the people for asking for a king.
The battle over this issue may determine the future of freedom, which makes the struggle an important one for people the world over.
Since the first two editions of this pamphlet, no one has stepped forward to refute it, so the arguments it contains will remain unchanged in this third edition of February 1776. His radical thoughts spurred revolutionary action among colonists.
He proposes a Continental Charter which would lead to a new national government, which would take the form of a Congress.
Hereditary rule leads to arrogant, arbitrary overlords who assume their superiority even as they isolate themselves from the realities of their subjects. Even loyalists ought to support the cause, since the representative government that results will treat them less harshly than would a mob angered by their support for Britain. At that time, many colonists were still inclined towards reconciliation rather than rebellion.
General George Washington believed it inspired soldiers in his struggling army. Paine critiques hereditary monarchy, stating that no person holds a divine right to rule simply by birth. The pamphlet is laced with humor and sharp wit, making it enjoyable to read. The colonies are debt-free and well positioned to borrow to build ships of war.
The idolization of royalty flies in the face of Biblical warnings, but monarchies smooth this over.
The Israelites, yearning to copy their neighbors, sought to make a king of their war hero Gilead, but he turned them down. With independence, America could establish trade with Europe and govern itself democratically.
It gives you suggestions based on your taste. Attempts to reconcile the colonists with Britain have collapsed into violence.
Defenders of British rule contend that Britain has benefited the colonies and will continue to do so, but it’s more likely that America would have prospered even more if left alone. Paine’s challenges to monarchy and advocacy for human rights have left a lasting legacy.
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