"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

1st Quote- "It is repugnant to reason, to the universal order of things to all examples from former ages, to suppose, that this continent can longer remain subject to any external power. The most sanguine in Britain does not think so. The utmost stretch of human wisdom cannot, at this time, compass a plan short of separation, which can promise the continent even a year's security." This is basically saying it is nearly impossible for Britain to be running a colony, while being so far away. Britain is around 3,000 miles away from the colonies and yet they claim they are running them well? They have no idea what the colonists are going through and therefore should not be taxing and making decisions for them. This quote helped influence the colonists because it helped them realize how far Britain really was, and how they should be able to make their own decisions.


2nd Quote- "Europe is too thickly planted with Kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, BECAUSE OF HER CONNECTION WITH BRITAIN. The next war may not turn out like the last, and should it not, the advocates for reconciliation now will be wishing for separation then, because neutrality in that case would be a safer convoy than a man of war. Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART." This is saying that whenever England goes to war with another country, that the American Colonists are a part of that war too because they are connected to Britain. This turns countries against the colonists, even though it's really Britain's fault and not the colonists. Paine tells the colonists it is time to depart from Britain and move on to be independent. This influenced the undecided colonists because it helped them take the extra step they needed to revolt against the British.


3rd Quote- "WHEREFORE, instead of gazing at each other with suspicious or doubtful curiosity, let each of us hold out to his neighbor the hearty hand of friendship, and unite in drawing a line, which, like an act of oblivion, shall bury in forgetfulness every former dissension. Let the names of Whig and Tory be extinct; and let none other be heard among us, than those of a good citizen, an open and resolute friend, and a virtuous supporter of the RIGHTS of MANKIND, and of the FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES OF AMERICA." This strongly impacted the American Colonists because he basically told them to get up and do something about it. He told them to come together and stop it at once. He also stated that the Torys and Whigs should be forgotten and that everyone should be a supporter of the rights of man.

Sources- http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm



.