Common Sense was a pamphlet wrote by Thomas Paine. He states that: "Monarchy and heredity succession have laid the world in blood and ashes" (170). He also calls the King George III a Pharoh of England. Paine is a huge influence on how people see independence. He takes quotes from the bible and mixes them with insults directed at the king. He also states: "A government of our own is our natural right...'Tis time to part" (171).
Thomas Paine's pamphlet went on to have twenty-five editions. Thousands of people read it andd it opened up their minds on the importance of independence. Do you believe that Thomas Paine inspired Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence? Do you think that it greatly inspired Washington's troops to keep fighting the war? If you lived during this time period would you have favored this pamphlet and set forth for independence?
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I believe that Thomas Paine's writings did influence the writings of Thomas Jefferson a lot. Thomas Paine was very bitter when he wrote Common Sense and ultimately wanted to United States to gain independence. I think that I would have been greatly inspired by Common Sense because from personal experience pamplets and writings can often change my mind about the world around me.
Not only did Thomas Paine's pamphlet inspire Washington and Jefferson, it inspired the colonists. One of our leading advantages in this war was the fact that the colonists cared much more and wanted to win no matter what. It helped to unify them and layed their thoughts of freedom right out in front of them. This pamphlet in a way was just the motivation they needed to keep going with this war.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense definitely played a huge role in inspiring the colonists and motivating them towards independence, as well as inspiring Thomas Jefferson as he wrote the declaration of independence. Both documents were written to encourage colonists to pursue their rights of liberty and happiness. It also helped motivate Washington’s troops during the war. Documents such as Thomas Paine’s Common Sense are very influential, especially when they are being spread throughout society so rapidly, so if I lived during this time I would favor the pamphlet and set forth for independence.
In a age of no television or radio, it is very likely that such a writing would stir up public support. I think that it was key issue in the unification of colonists.
I believe that Thomas Paine's writing of the Common Sense influenced Thomas Jefferson a lot in writing the Declaration of Independence. Both documents were written in hope that the United States would gain independence. Common Sense also helped to motivate and unify the colonists during this time.
I think that Paine's pro-independnce Common Sense did influence Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. I'm sure if I was in that time period I would have supported it.
I think that Paine was a major influence for the colonists and mainly for the troops. He did stay amongst them when he wrote one of his pamphlets and that might have been his inspiratioin. So in a way he was inspired by the same people he was tring to inspire.
Yes, Common Sense influenced Jefferson and gave the colonists an extraordinary amount of determination. One of the main reasons this pamphlet was so popular was because it connected to both intellectuals and regular people. Would our history books be different if Thomas Paine wasn't so bitter towards England?
Thomas Paine's Common Sense was definately inspiration to Thomas Jefferson, as well as many other influential and even lower class colonists. His pamphlet called for seperating from England and becoming independent, and insulted the king, as did the Declaration of Independence. I think that his traveling with the soldiers was a major reason why he was so good at connecting with all classes of Americans. He was around a mixture of people fighting for a common goal:liberty. This is essentially what being an American is all about, so I can see how he inspired so many Americans. I'm sure Thomas Paine could have stirred up a passion in me, as he did to many colonists, because I have been moved to the point of changing my life by persuasive writings before. I can definately understand why so many colonists joined the war effort on account of this writing.
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