Blog Post 5- draft proposal

Thomas Paine is one of the most influential people that were part of the rise of independence in the American Revolution. Paine’s writings Common Sense, were a push to prosper America for the future. Common Sense showed the American people that in order for America to become a great future nation, it must split apart from the British Colonies and be individualized. I believe Paine is one of many great reasons why we Americans live such an amazing life and prosper still today as an independent nation. In order for a nation to rise above and be independent, a nation must overcome adversities to become great. In Paine’s sense, the “great” is a nation that is independent. When a country is attempting to become independent, they lose some of their allies but also gain a numerous amount of other countries reaching to find independence. (Common Sense)

In 1775, Thomas Paine made his points to America strong and clear. Paine had four main points to tell his American people in his pamphlets of Common Sense:

1.     First, “Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks of the English Constitution.” The difference between society and government was a huge point in Paine’s pamphlets. According to Paine, society is to be considered a blessing and government is a state of evilness at times. The main point Paine is trying to get across in this section of his writing is the need of a democracy. People need to be able to make their own rights by making their own rules within each other.

2.     “Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession”. Paine in this sense argues that there should be no difference between each man. Each man “is created equal”. He is trying to argue that the British rule should not exist because of its hierarchy of King and Queen. At this point, Paine even brings in versus’ from the bible, stating that the practicing of a hierarchy is a sin.

3.      Thirdly, “thoughts on the present state of American Affairs”. Once again, Paine is persuading the American people to gain part of a democracy. Even though there are people that argue that the British have helped us grammatically, Paine argues that America has “evolved” and is now ready for America to become a democracy. He wants people to decide what is wrong and to send delegates from each ‘state” to fight for what their section believes. The American “Magna Carta” is instated at this time, a continental draft arguing the democracy.

4.     Finally, “On the present ability of America, with some miscellaneous reflections”.  This section of Paine’s pamphlets truthfully just stated the reality. The distance between the two nations just does not work out. For example, if something were to be “petitioned to Parliament, it would take a year for the colonists to receive a response”. If America breaks off from the British rule, we may endure debt but Paine makes a point saying we can move further westward in America for all the debt we will endure. Also, the size of the British Navy was a worry we were trying to overcome if we split, but Paine once again states that in time, America itself would be just as big as a Navy as the British, if not bigger.

Overall, Thomas Paine is the man who made the idea of independence an idea in America. Paine fought for America in a peaceful way and made America who we are today. If Paine were not to argue his ideas of a democracy to the common people of America, how would we still be standing today: Would America still by ruled by a King and Queen? Actually, would we even have any independence at all, and just be a little part of the British rule?