...Common Sense Written by Thomas Paine By: Alexis Quirarte 4 April 2013 Professor Billingsley History 16: History of The U.S. to 1877 Common sense was an extremely popular pamphlet written during the American Revolutionary War. The author of this great, and historical piece of work was a man known by the name of Thomas Paine. This historical piece of work when it was first released sold more than 120,000 copies in its first year. The pamphlet was released on anonymity due to the origin of its contents. In the pamphlet Pain was the voice of the American people that were concerned about the English radicalism. At the start, Paine explains that in the essay to come he is offering the reader nothing but, “simple facts, plain arguments,” and of course, “common sense” (27-30). He says he asks the reader for nothing more than to read on without prejudice and let their feelings decide for themselves; however, calmly Paine approaches the beginning of his work, though, later he will certainly show himself to be quite passionate. Paine begins his argument with more general, theoretical reflections about government and religion, and then progresses into the specifics of the Colonial situation. It is also extremely important to realize that throughout his pamphlet, Common Sense, Thomas Paine argues two main points: the first being independence from England and the second being the creation of a democratic republic. Paine uses an enthymeme by stating that “in absolute governments...
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...Sense Due: November 10, 2013 Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, is a pamphlet that was written in 1775-76. Paine’s purpose for this writing was to be an encouragement to the general people of the thirteen colonies to seek declaration of their independence from Great Britain. Paine’s desire to connect with the common people is evident in his plain and easy to understand writing style; he wrote in an educated, but straight-forward manner. Dubbed a “political quack” by Loyalist, James Chalmers of Maryland in the Plain Truth (New), and accused of producing a “crapulous mass” by none other than John Adams, we see just two examples of the many attacks on Paine, who prevailed to claim such titles as, The Father of the American Revolution (“Thomas Paine's Achievements”). According to history.org, some scholars say that by the end of 1776 at least half of American colonists had read or been aware of the arguments that Paine presented in Common Sense (“Primary Source of the Month”). Because Paine’s belief in the importance of “the Doctrine Itself, not the Man,” he wished for the publication to remain anonymous for as long as possible to keep a focus on the ideas presented instead of him (Paine, n.pag.). Being so widely popular and rumored, Paine’s name appeared on the second edition. In the Introduction, Paine does exactly that, he introduces a basic overview of his grounds for the right to question “a long and violent abuse of power” (Paine, n.pag.), which he details in four main sections...
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...The American Revolution is most commonly believed to have been won by war. However, a war amongst the American people had to be won before action against their oppressors would ever take place; a war of intellect. The cause of the American Revolution was saved through acts of writing much like “Common Sense”, by Thomas Paine. His words and opinions of America’s future weighed heavily on the minds of its citizens. The power of writing was fully expressed through his various rhetorical strategies. It was through his rhetoric that he was able to fully express his belief in America, and furthermore, the development of a republic for post revolutionary America. It became his goal to share his vision with others. Paine’s rhetorical strategies worked...
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...1. Why does Paine write Common Sense anonymously and how does he think his work will be remembered? "In the following sheets, the author hath studiously avoided every thing which is personal among ourselves. Compliments as well as censure to individuals make no part thereof. The wise and the worthy need not the triumph of a pamphlet; and those whose sentiments are injudicious or unfriendly, will cease of themselves, unless too much pains is bestowed upon their conversion." (Thomas Paine) So, basically as much as the book means for the colonists, Paine wanted to be on a rather neutral ground. He had no need for the glory that brought forth by a pamphlet (which is the whole Common Sense) nor he wanted to go against those who would certainly punish him for what his work brought forth. He himself clearly said that only those who got too hurt emotionally by sins they made would spare him for what he wrote. (aiming at the authorities who used violence to suppress the colonists) It is merely a guess from my part but I think what he meant was that he should not be the one the sacrifice but instead the colonists who were being suppressed at the time. He did not want them to rely on anyone but themselves to save their own life. Thus, he probably thought that his work would remain as something written by basically no one at all but merely created by the people' passions for freedom. On other words, the work was only there to raise the spirit of colonist to fight for their own lives and...
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...The Statesman, The Writer, and the Military Man: How George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Andrew Jackson Helped Construct America’s Identity All of America’s founding fathers contributed greatly to the formation of the United States and helped build this nation through their accomplishments and dedication to making their home a better place for all Americans. But of the 55-plus men whom history has given the name of “founding father,” the contributions of George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Paine (1737-1809), and Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) stand out for their range of accomplishments, their contribution to critical components of democracy and its identity, and to military achievements that helped form the geography of the place we know as America. For me, this statesman, this writer, and this military strategist serve as the greatest examples of the titans of America we call our founding fathers. George Washington was not only our first president to be elected into office, but he is also notable for being the only president in the country’s history to receive a unanimous vote. Although our nation recognizes many founding fathers, Washington is known as the “Father” of The United States for many reasons — and not solely because he was elected as the first President of The United States in 1789 and unanimously elected again in 1792. His accomplishments before, during, and after his presidency have earned him the title “Father” of the United States. Washington assisted...
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...MABM217 Аз-наративът в британската и американската литература MARINO MARZIALI - F81122 Thomas Paine, Common sense The ideological weapon for the independence of the USA The years before the American Revolution knew the intensification of the political and cultural debate among the colonies. After the Treaty of Paris of 1763 the relations with England were quite complicated because of the new tax policy and administration of the motherland. The new laws clearly represented a change of direction in the management and especially in the conception of the colonies by the British government. The harsh protests and riots that started overseas showed that the colonists insinuated a doubt about the intentions of England, whose behavior was seen as a direct attack against their freedom. In the atmosphere of the colonial debate there were two main options on the positions to take regarding the facts. Many still supported the need for a reconciliation with England, either for the tradition that it bound the colonies or for the protection of trade and security of the American continent. So the fear and uncertainty to be an independent nation in the future restrained settlers' minds. More and more, on the other hand, were the voices, who courageously invoke the separation from the motherland as the only real alternative for the development and prosperity of the colonies. Therefore, the idea of independence had been circulating in the debates and private conversations, but before January...
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...Part 1: Sense and Sensibilities Common Sense 1. The author Thomas Paine in Common Sense, thinks that the colonies should break away. He does not think that America will flourish and keep growing under Britain. One specific evidence shown from this article is the paragraphs where he is using capitol letters to voice his opinion on the matter. Great Britain protected America only for their own interest. “One example of this is, “We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was INTEREST not ATTACHMENT; but from HER ENEMIES on HER OWN ACCOUNT, from those who had no quarrel with us on any OTHER ACCOUNT, and who will always be our enemies on the SAME ACCOUNT.” Thomas Paine argues that some people say that Great Britain is the parent country of America, but he states if that was true, than why does Great Britain attack their young or make war with their families. “But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families.” He also uses this sentence that was very important in his opinion, “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. But even this is admitting more than is true; for I answer roundly that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken...
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...American Revolution- The Only Way Out I strongly opposed Thomas Chalmers’ argument. He portrays a very partisan perspective on situation in Americans. It goes without saying that he is a beneficiary of heinous act of the Britons. Taking freedom of American and enslaving them in their own land couldn’t be justified in any way. It beats logic when Chalmers asserts that the British law boasts as the best ever when it couldn’t guarantee the most basic right of people. All men are equal before the law. That is what I believe and stand for. It bothers me so much that my hard work as a merchant would end up in the hands of someone who believe to have more rights than others. That why is fully support the sentiments what Paine advocated for. How for instance can you live in a nation where there is no freedom? How about paying tax to a government that you have not part of it? No representation, no voice, just living like a slave. This oppression could push any ordinary man to the limit, leaving with only one option, to fight. And this brings me to American Revolution. What else would we have done? It was the only way out to redeem ourselves from the claws of British imperialist. No motivation could be better that Paine’s article, “Plain Truth” Paine, reminded us that we are men just like they are. The outcome speaks for itself. America attained freedom for all her people, to be...
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...An important letter-one that convicts, encourages, reprimands, persuades-is not an important letter because of words written, or the above average vocabulary, but rather what makes it important is the heart behind the words, and the tone of the voice speaking the vocabulary; rhetorical devices. Boldly, rhetorical devices are what makes a letter an “important” letter. A message can possibly be crossed without them, but rhetorical devices are what give the message its meaning. One example of rhetorical devices furthering an argument past just words is the letter, “The Crisis”, written by the influential Thomas Paine, using aphorisms, juxtaposition, and rhetorical questions. Thomas Paine uses the aphorism twice in his letter to the colonists....
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...not publish many of them. Hunt wrote, in 1765, the Rights of Englishmen. This would go into detail what right every Englishman had, whether they lived in the colonies or England. Many colonist did not feel that their rights were taken into consideration, ultimately resulting in the revolution. Isaac Hunt was well known for the pamphlet The Political Family: or A discourse, pointing out the reciprocal advantages, which flow from an uninterrupted union between Great-Britain and her American colonies, which was shortened to The Political Family. Isaac wrote this pamphlet in 1766, but did not publish it until nine years later 1775. In this, Hunt would explain how there should be ““uninterrupted union between Great Britain and her American Colonies””(Leary 270). Described by Robert Shackleton in The Book of Philadelphia, this piece would get Hunt paraded around the town, beaten, almost tarred and feathered, and would lead to him fleeing Philadelphia to Jamaica, then finally to England with his wife. They would arrive in 1776 penniless and extremely weak. “His legal training was not recognized in England, and he had been obligated to find another profession. He toyed with the theatre, where his superb voice would have been an asset, but discarded this in favour of the family calling of the church”(Blainey...
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...would hang the British Crown before acting on these measures. The American people thought that they should be able to send their own people to Britain's Parliament or at least vote for Britain's lawmakers. They were denied this right and the American people became strongly independent and wanted to do things for themselves. American people didn't want people an ocean away telling them how to live their lives. Let’s get down to what the British Crown was enforcing on the America’s in no real order. The French and Indian war ended with a large debt. From the British point of view, it was only right to have the American colonist pay a large sum of the debt for their defense. The combination of the harsh taxes and the lack of an American voice in Parliament gave rise to the famous phrase "taxation without representation." In 1764 the Sugar Act was enacted to raise revenue through a tax on sugar and molasses. This tax has been on the books since the 1730’s but smuggling and the lacking in enforcement did not bother them. The Sugar Act reduced the rate of tax on molasses from six pence to three pence per gallon, while Grenville took measures that the duty be strictly enforced. The act also listed more foreign goods to be taxed including sugar, certain wines, coffee, pimiento, cambric and printed calico, and further, regulated the export of lumber and iron. The enforced tax on molasses caused the almost immediate decline in the rum industry in the colonies. With the strict enforcement...
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...Jason Greenberg Period 4 Understanding Cultures: Age of Reason The Age of Reason, also referred to as the Age of Enlightenment, spanned the mid-17th century to around the time of the French Revolution in 1789. Throughout this period, several major events occurred. The end of the Thirty Years’ War marked the beginning of the Age of Reason. In 1668, the Glorious Revolution overthrew King James II, implementing the first constitutional monarchy in England. The American Revolution also took place during this era, from 1755 to 1783. The French Revolution signified the end of the Age of Reason in 1789, with the French people gaining a constitutional monarchy in the process. The relationship between God and man during this chapter in global history...
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...The American Revolution A cause and effect essay The united States of America declares Independence ! “When the year seventeen seventy six began only few colonists could have predicted what could have happened in the very near future.” Page one hundred seventy paragraph two ,in our penance hall american book the author stated the information above. Most colonists still hopped for a peaceful quarrel with Britain. So let me ask you a question , What was the cause and effect of The American Revolution? Well the cause of the American Revolution is that, After King George had rejected the Olive Branch Petition ,Thousands of British troops were sent out into the colonies to fight. The effect is that, the american patriots declared Independence on Britain to stop the quarrel. The Americans thought that These United Colonies are free of right and ought to be free and independent states all political connection between them and the state of great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved. The cause was The United States of America had sent King George the Olive branch...
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...The French Revolution, which took place at the end of the 18th century, was perhaps the most significant revolution in history to date. Not only did it have an enormous impact on politics and social order within France but also across the European continent which was, at that period in history, the fulcrum of civilisation and modernity. A bitter dispute ensued about the French principles of ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’. This essay intends to focus on the impact that the Revolution had on Britain at that time and we will reflect on the influence that literary writings had upon shaping Britain’s views of the revolution and its espoused ideals, and in turn the consequences that they would have on British society into the 19th century. Leading up to the beginning of the French Revolution political and social unrest was spreading in Britain. The country was divided on one argument: the rights of man. On one side of the argument were the radicals who strongly supported a new form of government, that of elective democracy. This group were countered by the loyalists who adamantly opposed such drastic changes and remained allegiant to the church and the monarchy. Loyalists vehemently opposed what they saw as the threat against traditional British values. The radicals were part of a post-enlightenment movement that believed citizenship and its right derived from natural human rights such as that of all men being allowed to take part in politic regardless of their status or background...
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...Frustrated, Adams tried to voice his opinion in his essay, A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, where he stated that colonists did not favor this law because the colonists felt they were being deprived of their human rights. His essay was published in the Boston Gazette and was widely read. John Adams became better known, both through his essay and through his law career, his final burst to fame was soon to come. On March 5, 1770, a group of British soldiers fired out into a crowd of people and killed three of them. This event later became known as the Boston Massacre. Adams was appointed to defend the British soldiers and did so, with much conviction. Despite the negative public opinion of the soldiers, Adams was able to convince the jury that the soldiers were innocent. Though there was a negative reaction to the jury’s decision, by those like his cousin Samuel Adams, (John) Adams gained more respect, from opponents and allies, alike. When asked why he defended the soldiers, when he didn’t approve of the soldiers in Boston, he would reply that everybody deserves a fair trial. In 1774, John Adams attended the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia where he pushed for independence. Unfortunately, little was accomplished. Fortunately, for Adams, Congress would meet again. In 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord took place. The second Continental Congress met as a result of the two battles and would govern the patriots during the American Revolution. John Adams was there...
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