Common Sense By Thomas Paine Analysis

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine was, by far, the most influential pamphlet about the colonial situation in the 1700’s. Published in 1776, the same year as the Declaration of Independence, this pamphlet challenges the British royal monarchy and advocates the revolution of the American colonies. Paine addresses many grievances he has with the British’s oppressive control over the American colonies, his biggest being their entire structure of society. Power in eighteenth century England was hereditary. Only those born into authority or wealth were able to attain either. Paine argues for a different structure of society in America. He believes power and riches belong to only those who are willing to work for them. Those who do not earn respect or prosperity should not receive it. In the end, Paine believes a society without a hereditary form of government is, not only a necessity but common sense. In the beginning of the pamphlet, Paine addresses the balancing factor of government: society. …show more content…
Though, all of them require not only reconciliation with the British but complete removal from the British royal monarchy. Many colonialists fought Paine on his arguments. Many colonialists argued that the British offered them protection; Paine argued that because of the British the colonies had also made many enemies. When many colonialists reminded that they had flourished under British rule, Paine reminded that even a baby needs to be weaned from milk to meat eventually. Though many colonialists brought up their blood relation to the British, Paine brought up that a hefty percentage of the British are actually French and question the colonialists if the British should then surrender themselves to France. Thomas Paine makes it clear that the American colonies owe nothing to the British no matter the protection, prosperity, or bloodline that the British once