Q1. Thomas Paine Variation

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776
• Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era.”
• Michael Foot estimates that Common Sense sold almost 100,000 copies in 1776
• Simple language and familiar allusions to appeal to wide audience

Question 2

Arguments agains Monarchical Rule

Answer 2

1. The argument from Religion
2. Argument against hereditary rule
3. The power is arbitrary

Question 3

1. The argument from religion

Answer 3

-‘ The Almighty hath here entered his protest against monarchical government’
- ‘The distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America is a strong and natural proof that the authority of the one over the other, was never the design of Heaven’

Question 4

2. Argument against hereditary rule

Answer 4

• ‘When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.’
• ‘Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent.’

Question 5

3. The Power is arbitrary

Answer 5

• ‘[The King] hath shewn himself such an inveterate enemy to liberty, and discovered such a thirst for arbitrary power’
• ‘Can there be any doubt, but the whole power of the crown will be exerted, to keep this continent as low and humble as possible?’

Question 6

Arguments for a new, democratic form of government

Answer 6

1. The argument for a democratic, American government comes from nature and reason
2. Small state argument
3. Youthful opportunity

Question 7

1.The argument for a democratic, American government comes from nature and reason

Answer 7

• ‘A government of our own is our natural right’
• (from Rights of Man) ‘Natural rights are those which appertain to man in right of his existence’
• ‘an open and resolute friend, and a virtuous supporter of the rights of mankind, and of the free and independent States of America’

Question 8

2. Small state argument

Answer 8

• Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness
• Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil

Question 9

3. Youthful opportunity

Answer 9

• I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain
• ‘Youth is the seed-time of good habits as well in nations as in individuals.’

Question 10

Arguments for the success of the new state

Answer 10

1. The American continent is physically strong and populated enough to overcome the colonial power
2. The Abundance of Natural resources in America
3. Britains debts and weakness

Question 11

1. The American continent is physically strong and populated enough to overcome the colonial power

Answer 11

• ‘Our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world’
• ‘The Continent hath, at this time, the largest body of armed and disciplined men of any power under Heaven’

Question 12

2.The Abundance of Natural resources in America

Answer 12

• ‘No country on the globe is so happily situated, or so capable of raising a fleet as America. Tar, timber, iron and cordage are her natural produce. We need go abroad for nothing.’

Question 13

3. Weakness of Britain

Answer 13

• ‘Britain is oppressed with a debt of upwards of one hundred and forty millions sterling’
• ‘From Britain we can expect nothing but ruin’