Simone Lawson
Thomas Paine's 1776 pamphlet, 'Common Sense', was a persuasive argument for the American colonies' independence from Great Britain. It was published anonymously and became an immediate sensation, with half a million copies in circulation by the end of the Revolutionary War. Paine's work was a powerful influence on the American Revolution, promoting the idea of American exceptionalism and the need for a new nation. Paine's ideas about the monarchy and the need for a new constitution based on the right principles would go on to influence the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Promoting the idea of American exceptionalism | Yes |
| Promoting the idea of forming a new nation | Yes |
| Espousal of religious freedom | Yes |
| Promoting the idea of American independence | Yes |
| Promoting the idea of a democratic spirit | Yes |
| Promoting the idea of a condemnation of monarchy | Yes |
| Promoting the idea of a monarch's power being dangerous | Yes |
| Promoting the idea of a government that serves the people | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' advocated for independence from Great Britain
- The pamphlet promoted the idea of American exceptionalism
- Paine criticised the English form of government
- He argued that the American colonies should form their own government
- ''Common Sense' unified Americans and attracted public support for the Revolution
Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' advocated for independence from Great Britain
Thomas Paine's Common Sense was a 47-page pamphlet written in 1775–1776, advocating for independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. Published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution, it became an immediate sensation. It sold and distributed widely and was read aloud at taverns and meeting places. Paine's pamphlet promoted the idea of American exceptionalism and the need to form a new nation to realize its promise. Paine's work attracted public support for the Revolution and put the rebellion's leaders under pressure to declare independence.
Paine's pamphlet was a forceful case in defence of separation. It appealed to the common capacities of all people to evaluate the case for independence. It left few traditional hierarchies untouched, with its vigorous condemnation of the institution of monarchy, which Paine claimed was an affront to God. Paine's work argued that the nearer any government approaches a republic, the less business there is for a king. Paine believed that the British system failed to serve the people, as it gave too much power to the monarchy and nobles in Parliament, thwarting the people's elected representatives.
Paine's pamphlet also espoused religious freedom, appealing to people who resented being forced to pay tithes to churches they didn't belong to. Paine's influence persisted even after victory over the British, and some of his ideas found their way into the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Paine's work continues to be read, and his ideas continue to resonate among new generations of Americans.
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The pamphlet promoted the idea of American exceptionalism
Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet, "Common Sense," had a profound impact on shaping the ideals of the American Revolution and the subsequent creation of the US Constitution. One of its key themes was the promotion of American exceptionalism, the belief that the American colonies were unique and possessed a special destiny. Paine's powerful arguments in this regard helped foster a sense of unity and purpose among the colonists and laid the groundwork for the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
Published in 1776, "Common Sense" came at a pivotal moment in American history, as tensions with Britain were rising and the colonies were debating their future course of action. Paine's pamphlet, written in clear and concise language, made a compelling case for colonial independence and republicanism, striking a chord with a wide audience. In doing so, he not only challenged the authority of the British monarchy but also advocated for a new political system that would reflect the unique character and potential of America.
At the heart of Paine's argument for American exceptionalism was the belief that the colonies represented a fresh start, unburdened by the corruption and tyranny of European monarchies. He wrote, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again," capturing the sense of a blank slate and the opportunity to create a just and virtuous society. This idea resonated with colonists who saw themselves as forging a new path, free from the constraints of the Old World.
Paine also emphasized the geographical distinctiveness of America, suggesting that its physical separation from Europe by the Atlantic Ocean was symbolic of a break from the past. He wrote, "Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART." By portraying America as a distinct entity, Paine fostered a sense of colonial unity and a shared identity separate from that of Britain.
Furthermore, "Common Sense" promoted the notion that America was destined for greatness and could serve as a model for the world. Paine wrote, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again, and it looks as if it was the design of Providence to make us a great and independent people." This idea of a manifest destiny, that America had a divine mission, became a driving force in the nation's expansion and sense of self-conception.
The impact of "Common Sense" was profound and immediate. It sold tens of thousands of copies and was widely circulated, helping to galvanize support for the Revolutionary War and the break from Britain. The ideas it espoused, including American exceptionalism, influenced the thinking of the Founding Fathers as they drafted the Declaration of Independence and later the US Constitution. The Constitution, with its system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and protection of individual liberties, reflected the ideals of republicanism and self-governance that Paine so passionately advocated.
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Paine criticised the English form of government
In his pamphlet "Common Sense", Thomas Paine criticised the English form of government, arguing that it was a form of government that "sooner or later must have an end". Paine believed that the British system failed to serve the people, which was the purpose of government. He identified two tyrannies in the English constitution: monarchical and aristocratic tyranny in the king and peers, who rule by heredity and contribute nothing to the people. Paine also criticised the English constitution by examining the relationship between the king, the peers, and the commons. He argued that since all men are equal at creation, the distinction between kings and subjects is false.
Paine further attacked the constitutional monarchy promoted by John Locke, in which the powers of government are separated between a Parliament or Congress that makes the laws and a monarch who executes them. He argued that such limits on the monarch's power were insufficient, and that in a "mixed state", power would eventually concentrate in the hands of the monarch. Paine questioned why supporters of the mixed state, who conceded that the power of the monarch was dangerous, would want to include a monarch in their scheme of government.
Paine also criticised the English system for giving too much power to the monarchy and nobles in Parliament, which thwarted the people’s elected representatives. He wrote that the British constitution was so exceedingly corrupt that the influence of the Crown had swallowed up the power of the House of Commons, rendering the government of England nearly as monarchical as that of France or Spain. Paine argued that the Republican virtues of the English constitution, such as the liberty of choosing the House of Commons, were failing, and that as a result, slavery was ensuing.
Paine's criticisms of the English form of government in "Common Sense" helped inspire the American Revolution and influenced the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
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He argued that the American colonies should form their own government
Thomas Paine's 47-page pamphlet, 'Common Sense', published in 1775–1776, advocated for the independence of the American colonies from Great Britain. It became an immediate sensation, selling an estimated 500,000 copies and widely circulating throughout the colonies. Paine's work was instrumental in shaping the political discourse of the time, promoting the idea of American exceptionalism and the need for a new nation.
In 'Common Sense', Paine argued that the authority of Great Britain over the American colonies was a form of government that would eventually come to an end. He believed that the American colonies should form their own government, stating that "the authority of Great Britain over this continent, is a form of government, which sooner or later must have an end". Paine recognised that the American people had the power to create a new and improved system of government, stating that "we have it in our power to begin the world over again". He emphasised the importance of seizing the opportunity to establish a government based on the right principles, warning that otherwise, a power vacuum could lead to tyranny. Paine's ideas on government were shaped by his belief that government existed as a "necessary evil" to serve the people and enable them to work together.
Paine criticised the English form of government, specifically targeting the monarchy and the constitutional monarchy promoted by John Locke. He argued that the monarchy was a form of tyranny, where power was concentrated in the hands of the king, who ruled by heredity and contributed nothing to the people. Paine further refuted the divine right of kings, claiming that since all men were equal at creation, the distinction between kings and subjects was false. He also disagreed with Locke's mixed-state theory, stating that power would inevitably concentrate in the hands of the monarch, leading to tyranny.
Paine's arguments in 'Common Sense' had a significant impact on the American Revolution. They influenced Thomas Jefferson, who began drafting a formal document announcing the creation of a new nation. Paine's ideas also resonated with the Sons of Liberty, who used grassroots activism to oppose British rule. Even after the victory over the British, Paine's influence persisted, and some of his ideas, such as his espousal of religious freedom, found their way into the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
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''Common Sense' unified Americans and attracted public support for the Revolution
Thomas Paine's pamphlet, 'Common Sense', played a pivotal role in unifying Americans and rallying public support for the Revolution. Published in 1776, at a time when reconciliation with Great Britain seemed unlikely, and independence seemed far-fetched, Paine's work ignited a spark among the colonists. With clear and persuasive prose, Paine presented moral and political arguments that resonated with the common people, urging them to fight for an egalitarian government.
'Common Sense' spread like wildfire, with an estimated 500,000 copies in circulation by the end of the Revolutionary War. Its appeal lay in its accessibility—written in plain language, it empowered everyday Americans to evaluate the case for independence. Paine's arguments struck a chord, particularly his critique of the monarchy as an affront to God and his assertion that all people are created equal. This notion of equality, he argued, was undermined by the distinctions of rich and poor, which could be attributed to societal circumstances rather than individual virtues or vices.
Paine's pamphlet also addressed the constitutional errors in the English form of government, specifically targeting the monarchy and the aristocracy. He identified two forms of tyranny within the English constitution: monarchical and aristocratic, stemming from the king and peers who inherited their power rather than earning it through service to the people. Paine's espousal of religious freedom further attracted those who resented being forced to support churches they didn't belong to.
'Common Sense' not only galvanised public opinion but also exerted pressure on the rebellion's leaders. Within months of its publication, the Continental Congress instructed each colony to draft new state constitutions, setting the colonies firmly on the path to declaring independence. Paine's ideas on American exceptionalism and the need for a new nation to realise its promise resonated deeply, shaping the trajectory of the Revolution and, ultimately, influencing the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine and published in 1776. It advocated for the independence of the American colonies from Great Britain and promoted the idea of American exceptionalism.
Common Sense influenced the Constitution by inspiring the colonies to declare independence and form their own government. Paine criticised the English constitution and the monarchy, arguing that all men are created equal and that the distinction between kings and subjects is false. He also emphasised the importance of religious freedom and the need for a government that is responsive to the people.
Common Sense was a pivotal influence on the American Revolution. It helped to unify Americans behind the cause of independence and put pressure on the rebellion's leaders to declare it. The pamphlet "swept through the colonies like a firestorm", attracting public support for the revolution and promoting the idea of a democratic spirit.
In Common Sense, Paine argued that the authority of Great Britain over the American colonies was temporary and that true independence was necessary to ensure a lasting government. He criticised the English constitution, identifying monarchical and aristocratic tyranny in the king and peers. Paine also questioned the idea of a constitutional monarchy, believing that power would inevitably concentrate in the hands of the monarch. He promoted the idea of an egalitarian government and encouraged Americans to trust their feelings and evaluate the case for independence.
