Read the passage from Thomas Paine’s…

English Questions

Read the passage from Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense,” published in January 1776. In this excerpt, Paine expresses his views on Great Britain and the necessity of separation. Identify the central argument Paine presents and outline two claims he makes to complete the chart.

Answer

The main argument Thomas Paine makes in his pamphlet Common Sense is that the American colonies must break away from Great Britain. To support this argument, he provides two key claims: 1. Failed attempts at peace: Paine emphasizes that all attempts to resolve issues peacefully have been unsuccessful. The colonists’ requests and prayers have been dismissed, highlighting that the king values his absolute authority over addressing the concerns of the people. 2. Conflict is unavoidable: Paine points out that the king has opted for confrontation, effectively issuing a challenge that the colonies must accept. He implies that due to the king’s refusal of peaceful solutions, violence has become the only viable course of action. Paine argues that it is prudent to make a definitive break now rather than condemn future generations to endure ongoing conflict disguised as a familial bond between the colonies and the crown.

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