Robert Harmon
American Literature
Prof. Cregar
8 December 2017
One of Paine’s reasons for supported the revolution is that America was being hurt by European politics that had nothing to do with them. While some people were saying “America has benefitted under Great Britain” Paine made the counter argument “whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, because of her connection with Britain” which is a valid point. During the 18th century there were seven conflicts between the British and French empires, and relations were always tense at best. This normally wouldn’t be a problem except that Brittan’s worst enemy was America’s largest trade partner (or at least French Canada was), and …show more content…
Paine points out that people believe we would fail without Brittan and that we owe them allegiance since they are out parent country. He refutes this argument by pointing out that America was made by those who were persecuted by Britain and other European countries. In his Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs he says this “This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster” going on to say that their decedents have yet to escape from her prejudice and …show more content…
While loyalists argue that America has flourished under Great Britain, he refutes this by making a comparison to a growing a child and its mother. Paine argues “We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat” essentially saying we can’t be babies and depend on Britain forever, it’s time for America to grow up.
Another of his justifications was that Britain was not a caring protector like many people thought, but really an exploitive empire using the colonies to her interest. Paine was right of course, Americans were confusing economic and political interest with attachment at the time. Paine argues that the British weren’t protecting us from the Spanish or French trying to invade us, their beloved gem across the Atlantic, they were keeping the Empire’s resources out of her enemy’s hands. Which hurt the colonists, as like most people, thought they were worth more than just their
American Literature
Prof. Cregar
8 December 2017
One of Paine’s reasons for supported the revolution is that America was being hurt by European politics that had nothing to do with them. While some people were saying “America has benefitted under Great Britain” Paine made the counter argument “whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, because of her connection with Britain” which is a valid point. During the 18th century there were seven conflicts between the British and French empires, and relations were always tense at best. This normally wouldn’t be a problem except that Brittan’s worst enemy was America’s largest trade partner (or at least French Canada was), and …show more content…
Paine points out that people believe we would fail without Brittan and that we owe them allegiance since they are out parent country. He refutes this argument by pointing out that America was made by those who were persecuted by Britain and other European countries. In his Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs he says this “This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster” going on to say that their decedents have yet to escape from her prejudice and …show more content…
While loyalists argue that America has flourished under Great Britain, he refutes this by making a comparison to a growing a child and its mother. Paine argues “We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat” essentially saying we can’t be babies and depend on Britain forever, it’s time for America to grow up.
Another of his justifications was that Britain was not a caring protector like many people thought, but really an exploitive empire using the colonies to her interest. Paine was right of course, Americans were confusing economic and political interest with attachment at the time. Paine argues that the British weren’t protecting us from the Spanish or French trying to invade us, their beloved gem across the Atlantic, they were keeping the Empire’s resources out of her enemy’s hands. Which hurt the colonists, as like most people, thought they were worth more than just their