Isabella Carter
Thomas Paine was an influential writer and agitator for democratic reforms during the American Revolution. Paine's most famous pamphlet, 'Common Sense' (1775-1776), advocated for independence from Great Britain to the people of the Thirteen Colonies. Paine criticised the British Constitution for its monarchical and aristocratic tyranny, arguing that the distinction between kings and subjects was false and that the British system failed to serve the people by giving too much power to the monarchy and nobles in Parliament. Paine also opposed the constitutional monarchy promoted by John Locke, arguing that power would inevitably concentrate in the hands of the monarch. Paine's ideas contributed to the spread of enthusiasm for independence from Britain and influenced the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Monarchical tyranny | The king has too much power, which can be dangerous |
| Aristocratic tyranny | The peers are ruling by heredity and do not contribute anything to the people |
| Mixed state | Power concentrates in the hands of the monarch, who transcends any limitations |
| Inequality | The crown has too much influence as the giver of places and pensions |
| Absurdity | The king is supposed to be wiser than those who are supposed to be wiser than him |
| Lack of wisdom | The king is excluded from the means of information but is empowered to act in cases requiring high judgment |
| Incomprehensibility | The constitution is too complex and ambiguous to be understood |
| Unjust power | The people are afraid to trust the king's power and are obliged to check it |
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What You'll Learn
Monarchy is 'absurd and useless'
Thomas Paine, an influential writer during the American Revolution, vehemently opposed the British Constitution, particularly criticising the monarchy as absurd and useless. In his famous pamphlet, "Common Sense," published in 1776, Paine argued that the British system was fundamentally based on a tyranny of aristocracy and monarchy. He proposed that the colonies should sever ties with England, establish a democratic government, and gain freedom from constant European wars.
Paine found two types of tyranny in the English constitution: monarchical and aristocratic tyranny, embodied by the king and peers who rule by heredity and do not contribute to the people. Paine questioned the very distinction between kings and subjects, arguing that since all men are equal at creation, the distinction is false. He refuted the divine right of kings using biblical passages. Paine also disagreed with the constitutional monarchy promoted by John Locke, where government powers are separated between a law-making Parliament and a law-executing monarch. Paine believed that such limits on the monarch's power were insufficient, and power would eventually concentrate in the hands of the monarch.
Paine's critique of the monarchy extended to its absurd composition. He pointed out the contradiction in a system where the king, despite being presumed wiser, is excluded from the means of information yet empowered to act in cases requiring the highest judgment. The isolated state of a king hinders his ability to know the world, which is essential to his role, rendering the monarchy absurd and useless. Paine's ideas contributed to the growing enthusiasm for independence from Great Britain among the American colonies.
Furthermore, Paine's views on monarchy were not limited to the British context. He continued to advocate for democratic reforms in France and England, returning to Britain in 1787. However, his fervent support for the French Revolution led to persecution. Paine's skills lay in his persuasive writing style, which, combined with his conviction, made his ideas widely influential, especially during the radicalism of the American Revolution.
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The Commons and the King are a 'house divided against itself'
Thomas Paine's criticisms of the British Constitution centred on the relationship between the King, the Peers, and the Commons. Paine identified two tyrannies in the English constitution: the monarchical tyranny of the king and the aristocratic tyranny of the peers.
Paine's argument was that the constitution was a "house divided against itself". The Commons could check the King by withholding supplies, but the King could then check the Commons by rejecting their other bills. Paine saw this as absurd, as it gave the King power over those the constitution supposed to be wiser than him. Paine questioned how the king came by such power, which the people felt they had to check and restrict.
Paine also criticised the idea of a mixed state, where the powers of government are divided between a law-making body and a monarch who executes those laws. He argued that, in such a state, power would inevitably concentrate in the hands of the monarch, who would transcend any limitations placed upon them.
Paine's views on the British Constitution informed his belief that the American colonies should sever their ties with Britain and establish a democratic government with a written constitution.
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The King's power is not from God
Thomas Paine was a writer and one of the most influential figures during the American Revolution. Paine's pamphlet, 'Common Sense', published in 1776, was a call to the common people in the colonies to fight for an egalitarian government and independence from Great Britain. Paine's writing style appealed to the masses and helped spread enthusiasm for independence from Britain.
In 'Common Sense', Paine criticised the English Constitution and the monarchy, arguing that the King's power is not from God. Paine found 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 questioned the idea of the divine right of kings, arguing that since all men are created equal, the distinction between kings and subjects is false. He also pointed out the absurdity of a system that gives the king the power to check the commons, implying that the king is wiser than those whom the system has already supposed to be wiser than him.
Paine further argued that the constitutional monarchy, as promoted by John Locke, was insufficient to limit the powers of the king. In such a system, power tends to concentrate in the hands of the monarch, eventually permitting him to transcend any limitations placed upon him. Paine also criticised the idea that the king's power was a gift from the people, asking how the king came by a power that the people are afraid to trust and always obliged to check. Such a power, Paine argued, could not be the gift of a wise people, nor could it be from God.
Paine's arguments against the monarchy and the English Constitution were part of his broader case for independence from Great Britain and his belief in democratic reforms. He advocated for the colonies to sever their ties to England, establish a democratic government with a written constitution, and gain the advantages of free trade and freedom from European wars. Paine's ideas had a significant impact on shaping political ideologies during the American Revolution, including influencing figures such as George Washington.
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The King is not wiser than the Commons
Thomas Paine, one of the most influential writers during the American Revolution, penned Common Sense, a pamphlet that advocated for independence from Great Britain. In it, Paine criticised the English Constitution, finding two tyrannies in it: monarchical and aristocratic tyranny in the king and peers, who rule by heredity and contribute nothing to the people.
Paine's views on the British Constitution can be summarised as follows:
Thomas Paine believed that the idea of the king being wiser than the Commons was absurd and ridiculous. He argued that the constitution's provision for the king to check the Commons by rejecting their bills assumed that the king possessed superior wisdom, despite the Commons being empowered to check the king by withholding supplies. Paine pointed out the contradiction in a system that first excludes a man (the king) from the means of information yet empowers him to act in cases requiring the highest judgment. The isolated state of a king, he argued, prevents him from knowing the world thoroughly, rendering the character of monarchy absurd and useless.
Paine further questioned the source of the king's power, arguing that a wise people would not bestow such unchecked power. He criticised the constitutional monarchy, promoted by John Locke, arguing that power inevitably concentrates in the hands of the monarch, who transcends any limitations imposed on them. Paine's scepticism extended to the role of peers, who he saw as representing the king rather than the people, perpetuating a system of hereditary rule that contributes little of value.
Paine's writings reflected his fervent belief in democratic reforms and his desire to see the colonies establish a democratic government with a written constitution. He played a significant role in spreading enthusiasm for independence from Great Britain, shaping the political ideologies of figures like George Washington. Paine's skill in persuasion and propaganda, coupled with his ability to connect with the common people, ensured that his ideas gained widespread traction during a time of heightened radicalism.
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The constitutional monarchy is insufficient
Thomas Paine, one of the most influential writers during the American Revolution, penned Common Sense, a 47-page pamphlet written in 1775–1776, advocating for independence from Great Britain to the people in the Thirteen Colonies. In it, Paine criticises the British constitutional monarchy, deeming it insufficient.
Paine identifies 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's critique centres on the relationship between the king, the peers, and the commons. He argues that since all men are created equal, the distinction between kings and subjects is false. Paine refutes the divine right of kings, citing biblical passages to support his argument. Paine's arguments highlight the absurdity of monarchy, where a king, despite being excluded from the means of information, is empowered to act in situations requiring the highest judgment.
Paine challenges the idea of a constitutional monarchy, promoted by John Locke, where governmental powers are divided between a law-making Parliament or Congress and a monarch who executes those laws. According to Locke, such a system would sufficiently limit the king's powers to ensure the realm remains lawful and does not devolve into tyranny. Paine disagrees, asserting that over time, power tends to concentrate in the hands of the monarch, who transcends any imposed limitations. Paine questions why supporters of the mixed state, recognising the dangers of monarchical power, would still include a monarch in their governmental scheme.
Paine's writings emphasise the need for democratic reforms and a written constitution to ensure free trade and freedom from European wars. He believed that the entire British system was fundamentally based on a tyranny of aristocracy and monarchy, and that the colonies would benefit from severing ties with England and establishing a democratic government. Paine's ideas contributed significantly to spreading enthusiasm for independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution.
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Frequently asked questions
Paine believed that the British Constitution was fundamentally based on a tyranny of aristocracy and monarchy.
Paine identified two types of tyranny in the English constitution: monarchical and aristocratic tyranny in the king and peers, who rule by heredity and contribute nothing to the people.
Paine argued that the colonies should sever their ties to England, establish a democratic government with a written constitution, and gain the advantages of free trade and freedom from European wars.
Paine believed that the limits placed on the monarch by a constitutional monarchy were insufficient. He argued that power would eventually concentrate in the hands of the monarch, allowing them to transcend any limitations.
Yes, Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" influenced many during the American Revolution, including George Washington. It contributed to spreading enthusiasm for independence from Great Britain.
