Thomas Paine's Views On The American Revolution

Essay #2: The American Revolution was a result of animosity between the colonies and the British government and had not been really conceived of before 1776. In the time before the war, most of the colonists did not think about or want to separate from the British government. However, there was an intellectual movement in the colonies, that changed numerous colonist’s opinions on independence in 1776. This change in mindsets of the colonists allowed for the Revolution to take place and allowed for it to be successful. The significant shift in intellectual ideas towards independence was caused by rebellious writings spread throughout the colonies, the general public’s acceptance of an impending war, and the Continental Congress with the …show more content…
In his writings Paine puts forth a number of reasons to change people’s minds and he does it do effectively because he uses simple and straightforward language that almost all of the colonists understand. He starts his writing by denouncing the idea of a monarchical government by saying that this type of government is not most favorable to liberty because it does not protect the people’s rights and the King creates nothing but a bad government. He then goes on the critize the imperial system, by saying “no island should govern a continent”. When Paine says this he means that it does not make sense for a government that is a sea away and that does not know what issues in the colony to be in control of that land. Finally Paine calls for a new republic to be made so that the colonists can be free and have their rights protected. All these claims and arguments resonate with the colonists and they are able to see Paine’s view of how there are no more chances for reconciliation with Great Britain. Paine’s writings is what persuaded congress to go all the way for