Christy Thomas Paine
Content
Christina Gonzalez History 17A- Dr. Cook
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, (1737-1809), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Thomas Paine was a radical ahead of his time. He was an inventor, author, intellectual and revolutionary. It is believed that if it were not for his ideas and opinions, contributed in Common Sense, the Revolutionary War would have been fought in vain. Thomas Paine contributed greatly to the form of our government today, through his famous pamphlet Common Sense. Thomas Paine had a controversial view of governments in general. He described government as a “necessary evil” that must be endured to attain freedom and security in a society. Because of the imperfections of human nature and virtues of man, it becomes necessary to force some rules on each other. Beware that government will always gravitate to take total control of people’s basic freedoms and rights. There are two main forces at work in a governed society. “The society encourages intercourse and the government creates distinctions.” Although Thomas Paine portrayed himself as a deist he was addressing his ideas to early Americans who regarded the Bible as the ultimate authority. He used several references from the Bible to illustrate how all men were created equal and to show that there is no distinction between kings and his subjects. He demonstrated that the scriptures at no moment promoted rule by a king, for God is the ultimate ruler of the universe and no one can be above Him.
Paine presented his ideas about British rule in America in support of independence. How
Christina Gonzalez History 17A- Dr. Cook
could and island(Britain) rule a continent? America was composed of a myriad of influences and people from all of Europe. How could the “Mother Country” be so horrendous in her actions to harm her children so brutally. Britain was constantly involved in conflicts and wars with other countries and that would drag America into unwanted and unnecessary wars. International trade was very profitable for the Americas and a British connection would spoil it. Britain cared about its own benefit in ruling the colonies without much concern for the benefit of the colonies. The New World was considered a safe haven from religious persecution by the British. The great distance between America and Britain would make it very frustrating to find dialogue and quick solutions to problems. Thomas Paine is usually a problem for traditional historians because of how much he was maligned and criticized in his time. Most of the information that exists about him is biased. People had a lot to say about him and they were not constructive. He greatly antagonized the established religious views held by people in his time, to the extent that only six people attended his funeral. After learning in detail about Thomas Paine’s quest in favor of America, I believe that he has not been properly credited for his ideas in shaping the future of America, which we now enjoy as citizens of this great nation.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, (1737-1809), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Thomas Paine was a radical ahead of his time. He was an inventor, author, intellectual and revolutionary. It is believed that if it were not for his ideas and opinions, contributed in Common Sense, the Revolutionary War would have been fought in vain. Thomas Paine contributed greatly to the form of our government today, through his famous pamphlet Common Sense. Thomas Paine had a controversial view of governments in general. He described government as a “necessary evil” that must be endured to attain freedom and security in a society. Because of the imperfections of human nature and virtues of man, it becomes necessary to force some rules on each other. Beware that government will always gravitate to take total control of people’s basic freedoms and rights. There are two main forces at work in a governed society. “The society encourages intercourse and the government creates distinctions.” Although Thomas Paine portrayed himself as a deist he was addressing his ideas to early Americans who regarded the Bible as the ultimate authority. He used several references from the Bible to illustrate how all men were created equal and to show that there is no distinction between kings and his subjects. He demonstrated that the scriptures at no moment promoted rule by a king, for God is the ultimate ruler of the universe and no one can be above Him.
Paine presented his ideas about British rule in America in support of independence. How
Christina Gonzalez History 17A- Dr. Cook
could and island(Britain) rule a continent? America was composed of a myriad of influences and people from all of Europe. How could the “Mother Country” be so horrendous in her actions to harm her children so brutally. Britain was constantly involved in conflicts and wars with other countries and that would drag America into unwanted and unnecessary wars. International trade was very profitable for the Americas and a British connection would spoil it. Britain cared about its own benefit in ruling the colonies without much concern for the benefit of the colonies. The New World was considered a safe haven from religious persecution by the British. The great distance between America and Britain would make it very frustrating to find dialogue and quick solutions to problems. Thomas Paine is usually a problem for traditional historians because of how much he was maligned and criticized in his time. Most of the information that exists about him is biased. People had a lot to say about him and they were not constructive. He greatly antagonized the established religious views held by people in his time, to the extent that only six people attended his funeral. After learning in detail about Thomas Paine’s quest in favor of America, I believe that he has not been properly credited for his ideas in shaping the future of America, which we now enjoy as citizens of this great nation.
