Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Common Sense is rightful credited to realigning American’s position on whether or not they should declare independence from Britain due to Thomas Paine’s irrefutable arguments and his persuasive style of writing. Throughout Common Sense, Paine uses logic to explain how unjust the monarch system is, and how as a growing nation, it is an opportunity to create a government that best represents the people. He reminds people of the flaws in Britain’s government and all their attempts to control America by taxing them irrationally. Thomas Paine was so successful in convincing the American’s to declare independence by appealing to their emotions, and disproving arguments that support living under the British rule. What makes Paine’s argument so compelling …show more content…
Paine states that government is “a necessary evil” because it helps the people live by a more socially accepted lifestyle, and prevents them from acting in an immoral manner. In order to prove this statement, Paine creates a scenario where a small group of people are living on an island. Since the human race was not built for solidarity, the people would unite to make living easier, while also establishing rules or laws along the way to create some type of social order. Since government is inevitable, Paine states that the government should reflect the thoughts and ideas of the governed, and points out that Americans would be much happier if they were involved in law making. Common Sense points out the flaws of the British government when Paine states that “the constitution of England is exceedingly complex, that the nation may suffer for years together without being able to discover which part the fault lies.” Paine then proclaims the constitution of England blatantly lies about having a checks and balance system, and is run by a power hungry king. These attacks on the British government are to remind the American people that Britain only looks to serve those in power, and does not care about the welfare of the American people. During the final paragraphs of “The Origin and …show more content…
However, Paine states that the inequality seen throughout society was brought on by circumstance. He proceeds to explain that kings are often “distinguished like a new species” (Paine), attempting to make Americans see how the British system idolizes one man who is just like the rest of the people on eart. In order to further prove how callous the monarch system is, he says it is “the most prosperous invention of the Devil” (Paine). Paine seems to become more aggressive when discussing religion’s role in creating a system that idolizes one person, describing Jews as sinful for looking for a king. He emphasizes the idea that there is only one ruler and that is the Lord. Paine uses the American’s relationship with God to make them believe that God is their only king, and that the British monarchy is like worshiping false idols. In a time where religion is so important, this idea really influence the American’s opinion of independence because it connected religion with independence. Following his examples of scriptures that state God is against monarchy, Paine is flabbergasted that hereditary succession is something that is commonly practiced. He points out that though there have been some fair rulers of England, they had far more rulers that were dreadful, often from hereditary succession. Paine tries to break down the American people’s support of this practice by reminding them that other kings came to