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Introduction
Introduction
In the history of many nations, strong ideas have proven to be more effective than military action in changing the direction that countries take. Words committed to print can mobilise people and make them question authorities, rethink their political structures, and undertake revolutionary changes in their societies. In the history of the United States, there have been several cases where a piece of writing played an important role in changing people's minds about what is going on in their country, such as The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. One of the first of these was Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine in January 1776. There were tensions in relations between the American colonies and Britain that had been lasting for more than a decade already; however, colonists still did not know whether separation from the motherland was the right decision. Paine’s pamphlet challenged those ideas and encouraged people to favour the idea of separation.
Figure.1: Thomas Paine
Figure.2: A map of the original 13 Colonies
Historical Background
Historical Background
Before the conflict between Britain and the American colonies escalated, there were few tensions between them. Following the end of the Seven Years' War in 1763, Britain found itself with heavy debts and started looking for ways to generate money from its empire. The American Yawp explains that Britain believed the colonies should help finance the costs of defending the empire and stationing soldiers in North America (The American Yawp, n.d.). Thus, the salutary neglect policy came to an end, and Britain started exercising more imperial power over the colonies through Parliament.
Over the following years, Parliament passed several acts of taxation and regulation, such as the Stamp Act in 1765, which required colonists to pay tax on printed material such as newspapers and pamphlets. As the colonies were not represented in Parliament, they opposed these acts based on the notion of “taxation without representation.” The justification of British rule was explained in terms of virtual representation, where Parliament represented all British subjects. The colonists objected to this and responded by protesting, boycotting and forming groups such as the Sons of Liberty. While some acts were eventually repealed, more tensions developed from actions like the Boston Tea Party and the Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts). This led to more opposition from the colonies, resulting in unity within the colonies and the formation of the First Continental Congress, according to The American Yawp and the Library of Congress (Library of Congress, n.d.).
The question of what response to make to British rule by the 1770s split the colonial society into two opposing groups. Patriots felt that the British had infringed upon colonial rights and needed to fight more, while the Loyalists thought that the rebellion would cause chaos and economic troubles. Many moderates were still unsure of their position and hoped for reconciliation with the British Empire. According to The American Yawp, most colonists still viewed themselves as loyal British citizens despite all differences (The American Yawp, n.d.). Since independence was not a certainty back then, the revolutionary views appeared only gradually. It is in such a political environment that Thomas Paine wrote his Common Sense in early 1776.
Figure.3: Timeline of how events played out leading to American Independence for historical context.
Figure.4: Boston Tea Party
Overview of Common Sense
Overview of Common Sense
Common Sense is a political pamphlet written by Thomas Paine and published in January 1776 amid the rising tension between the British Government and the colonies. It soon emerged as one of the most significant documents in the history of the American Revolution due to its compelling advocacy of the declaration of independence from Britain. Unlike most of the political literature written at that time, which was characterized by complex jargon for elites, Paine used clear and straightforward language.
In Common Sense, Paine heavily attacked the British monarchy and the notion of an inherited system of government. In his view, kings did not possess any kind of natural or legitimate right to rule, and politics was something that ought not to be passed from one generation to another within a particular family. According to him, governments must be formed based upon reason and popular consent. Furthermore, he questioned the nature of the association between Britain and the colonies. He said it was illogical for a small island nation like Britain to control a large nation like the American continent.
However, the pamphlet did more than criticize British government policies; it argued for strong independence from Britain. Paine saw independence as a feasible and inevitable choice that would lead to better governance because the colonists would have established a system of self-governance. Paine urged his readers to consider the idea of separation as something that logically followed from British behaviour and governmental system. As seen throughout this chaotic series of events, Common Sense helped greatly to change the minds of Americans regarding the issue of independence (Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.).
Figure.5: The image shown above is the legendary pamphlet Common Sense by Thomas Paine, Figure.6: and the graphic organiser depicts the causes and effects of American Independence.
Figure.7: The American Revolution
Significance and Impact
Significance and Impact
The significance of Common Sense is found in the political concepts that Paine conveyed to his audience in such an influential way. Firstly, he criticized monarchy in that it is inherently unjust because monarchs rule without having earned the right to do so through hard work or public acceptance of their leadership. Second, Paine claimed that all governments are founded on the will of the people; thus all political authority stems from the individuals and not from God as it used to be believed traditionally. Third, he defended the system of republicanism according to which the citizens chose their representatives whose main function is to guard their liberties. Fourth, he said that it is necessary to break up all ties with British rule as there can never be reconciliation now. All these political concepts are mentioned in the book Common Sense and analyzed in Britannica's interpretation of Thomas Paine's political theory (Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.). These ideas are clearly explained without using complex philosophical terms, making it easy to understand.
The effect Common Sense had on the population was immediate and impressive. This pamphlet was one of the most popular writings in the colonies of America. Thousands of copies were sold soon after publication. (History.com Editors, n.d.). Moreover, the text was regularly read aloud in various public places like pubs, churches, and meetings to ensure that even those who could not buy the book would know what it says. The reasons behind its strong popularity are numerous. First of all, Paine’s text is easy to understand for any person and thus allows everybody to participate in political discussions. Furthermore, Paine appeals to emotions of anger, betrayal, and hope, and encourages people to consider independence as something logically necessary as well as morally correct. Above all, the pamphlet appeared at a time when the issue of separation from Britain was still in debate for many Americans. Consequently, Paine played a major role in resolving the conflict and united all the supporters of rebellion into one group aimed at achieving the same political goal. Thus, the support for the colonies’ separation from Britain grew and finally resulted in the Declaration of Independence of 1776.
The significance of Common Sense, however, went beyond the revolutionary period. Paine advocated for natural rights, a form of republicanism, and consent as a foundation for a legitimate government. The ideas proposed by Paine resembled many of those found in the Declaration of Independence, which states that the government “derives their just powers from the consent of the governed” (U.S. National Archives, n.d.). The National Archives explain that the Declaration was concerned about the rights of people and the role of government in protecting those rights. The impact of such beliefs is still relevant in the current democratic system of the United States. Voting, civic engagement, and debate are examples of how the people continue to hold the origin of power in politics. The lasting impact of these principles reveals that some changes in history happen through the power of persuasion.
Figure.8: Natural Human Rights
Figure.9 : The Declaration of Independence
Conclusion
Conclusion
The significance of Common Sense, however, went beyond the revolutionary period. Paine advocated for natural rights, a form of republicanism, and consent as a foundation for a legitimate government. The ideas proposed by Paine resembled many of those found in the Declaration of Independence, which states that the government “derives their just powers from the consent of the government.” The National Archives explain that the Declaration was concerned about the rights of people. Another thing the Declaration was concerned with was the role of the government and protecting those rights, a subject covered extensively in Paine’s pamphlet. The impact of such beliefs is still relevant in the current democratic system of the United States. Voting, civic engagement, and debate are examples of how the people continue to have the origin of power in politics. The lasting impact of these principles reveals that some changes in history happen through the power of persuasion.
Learn More
Learn More
Common Sense pamphlet appendix for extra information.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/147/147-h/147-h.htm
Interactive quiz if you feel like taking on a challenge.
https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/commonsense/quiz/
References
References
The American Yawp. (n.d.). The American Revolution. https://www.americanyawp.com/text/05-the-american-revolution/
The American Yawp. (n.d.). Thomas Paine calls for American independence in 1776. https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/the-american-revolution/thomas-paine-calls-for-american-independence-1776/
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Common Sense by Paine. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Common-Sense-by-Paine
History.com Editors. (n.d.). Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-10/thomas-paine-publishes-common-sense
History.com Editors. (n.d.). Thomas Paine and Common Sense. https://www.history.com/articles/thomas-paine-common-sense-revolution
History.com Editors. (n.d.). Thomas Paine. https://www.history.com/articles/thomas-paine
Library of Congress. (n.d.). Common Sense (Thomas Paine), print and manuscript materials. https://www.loc.gov/item/18016803/
U.S. National Archives. (n.d.). Declaration of Independence transcript. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
Leaping Hare Press. (n.d.). Thomas Paine. https://leapinghare.org/thomas-paine/
Liberty Maniacs (Flickr). (n.d.). Thomas Paine portrait. https://www.flickr.com/photos/libertymaniac/4815723219
Amaranth Publishing. (n.d.). Liberty. https://www.amaranthpublishing.com/liberty.html
Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States#/media/File:Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_States.jpg
AZ Quotes. (n.d.). Thomas Paine quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/author/11249-Thomas_Paine
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