Sense And Slavery In Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Improved Essays
Another document was the pamphlet, Common Sense written by Thomas Paine. Common sense was written as a push to the colonist to break ties with Britain. Americans could not easily break ties with Britain, as simply as1, 2, and 3. Also, many colonists since birth have worship the king and England. There was a fear of how common people can rule themselves. Therefore Pain wrote Common Sense and “encourage colonist to break free from England and start a new independent and democratic society” (The American Revolution: A Writer’s War, 11). Paine argued that the “concept of an island ruling a continent defied natural law and the people have the power to begin a world again” (The American Revolution: A Writer’s War, 11).
Colonial military tactic were
…show more content…
“British troops suffered over 250 causalities, while American forces had a fewer of 100 casualties” (The American Revolution: A Solder’s War, 1). Another battle was based on a quote, “Do Not fire until see the whites of their eyes” (The American Revolution: A Soldier’s War, 2). Meaning Patriot troops did not fire until the enemy is at close range, thus making rebels more accurate in their shots while conserving their limited supply of ammunition. One example was the Battle of Breed Hill. British General Thomas Gage launches an attack on rebel troops on June 17, 1775. Rebel use this tactic of firing at the enemy at closer range, making them more lethal and accurate. Although rebels were force to retreat, the damage to the British troops was extensive; over than 1,000 redcoats died. This event “served as morale-boosting experience for the newly formed Continental Army, leading British army to enter with more caution, and the realization of the Continental Army needed more support for the cause” (The American Revolution: A Solder’s War, 3). The Battle of Saratoga began as British planned “to capture the Hudson River Valley in New York and cut off New England from the colonies, therefore crushing the rebellion” (The American Revolution: A Soldier’s War, 4). However, General Burgoyne and his 7,000 troop became hindered in the dense wood of Saratoga. American force took …show more content…
Which was surprising due to America’s intense focus of the right of individuals and equality, women only experience a small part. Women were still confided to their domestic role of the home. Women could not “vote, hold office, or even obtain a divorce” (One War Ends and Another Begins, 6). Also women did not have legal right over their children and could not own property. This was surprising since women took up responsibilities that were considered as masculine. Such as, “plowing fields, manage businesses, and supporting the armies by handling supplies, severing as couriers, cooks, and even going on frontlines for their husbands” (One Wars Ends and another Begins, 6). In1776, Abigail Adam said to her husband John Adam, “ In the new codes of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the Ladies…Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands”( One War Ends and Another and Another Begins,7). Adams felt men were naturally tyrannical and were often forgetting how big a role woman played during the revolution. Without women, many men would have come back home with debt. Although in some northern states, women could receive divorces easier. But the biggest change for women was the educational opportunity. Women could receive educational opportunity. During that time, it was the responsibility of the mother to raise their children to fit

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In the second Battle of Saratoga (The Battle of Bemis Heights), the British army was tired and demoralized. The battle took place on the 7th of October 1777. There was a desperation within the British camp as they tried to attack rebel defenses. While General Gates came up with defensive tactics that enabled the patriots overcome the British, Arnold made a bold move and led a counterattack against Major General Burgoyne’s forces. The timing of the attack was at a time when Burgoyne was vulnerable.…

    • 1526 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    They suggested boycotting British goods until the town shed acts were revoked. After the failure of the boycotts, The British passed the Intolerable Acts, a series of penal laws in response to the Boston Tea Party. In 1774, after the intolerable acts were passed Washington call for the first Continental Congress and use of “armed resistance” is resourceful action. After Lexington in Concorde, the first military engagements of the revolution, Washington went to the second Continental Congress saying he was ready to fight, and in June 1775 he was appointed Major General and Chief of the Colonial Army. Many factors contributed to the selection of Washington as the leader.…

    • 1354 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Americans were tired of strict British rule so they responded by the Boston Tea Party, writing of Common Sense, and boycotting on taxed British goods, yet these would all lead up to American Independence. Economic factors made up a large part of American and…

    • 1209 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The picture is a painting of men at a battle and depicts the battle of Lexington and Concord. The battles of Lexington and Concord were the initial military engagements the marked the start of the American Revolution. The battles marked the start of armed conflict between the thirteen colonies in British America and the kingdom of Great Britain. The British government had made arrangement to resist the enforcement of alterations made to the colonial government after the Boston Tea party. The locals responded by organising an illegal patriotic government which was known as the Massachusetts provincial congress.…

    • 793 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Thomas Paine published a book titled Common Sense in 1776 in which he accused the British of the detrimental effect they imposed on Americans. John Locke implanted the idea that people should control life, liberty, and land. This all contributed to the separation of America and Great Britain. In conclusion, the wars that led to the British occupation in America, the unfair taxes imposed on the colonists, Parliament’s control causing colonists to rebel all factored into the rift in the relationship between the American colonists and the British. Benjamin Franklin imposed the idea that revolutions are created because in history people always find a way to revolve over one thing or another.…

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Jacob Miller War

    • 1374 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Due to the amount of troops involved, it was to be the largest battle of the war. Unfortunately, the battle would end up being a defeat for the Continental Army. After defeating the British at the Siege of Boston in March of the same year, General Washington moved the bulk of the Continental Army to defend the important port city of New York. Washington thought it crucial to maintain control of the harbor, as it would provide an excellent base for the British Navy, should the city fall to the British. In July, General Howe began landing British troops on nearby Staten Island, and slowly began building up British forces in the area.…

    • 1374 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In the Battle of Lexington, British actually outnumbered the colonists. As the result, there were more deaths and casualties on the British’s side. What happened in the Battle of Concord was that it gave Americans confidence because they defeated the British troops in North Bridge. British realized that American military was rapidly growing, so they had decided to retreat first. The real significance of this battle was that British and Americans finally began to fight each…

    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He wrote about the need of democratic electives and independence. He wanted all to know that the King was not fully dedicated towards the welfare of the Americans, he just wanted land and power. Thomas wrote in the benefit of the colonists, but the petition was written for independence under Britain. These two documents were caught in attention by colonists, and…

    • 1325 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    On June 17,1775 a battle took place at Charlestown, the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Battle was fought to capture the territory of Charlestown. The British were led by General William Howe, and the Americans by Colonel William Prescott. Was an early stage of the revolutionary war. The American colonist fought hard, but lost to the British.. Colonist killed many British troops and that provided confidence to continue the fight.…

    • 237 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The British opened fire on the minutemen who were told to not fire unless fired upon. We fought, and we fought well. We became more organized and threatened the enemy forces more and more as we received help from other countries. The forces under colonial rule, also known as the continental army, adapted their tactics in order to engage in guerrilla warfare where you advance, attack, and retreat until the enemy runs away or is decimated. The British on the other hand fought formal tactics where they stand in lines and fight, this was also known as gentlemen’s warfare.…

    • 1297 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays