Thomas Paine

Common Sense Thomas Paine

summary, Themes, Introduction are included as bonus. Common Sense is a political pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775-76 and published anonymously on January 10, 1776, during the beginning of the American Revolution. Common Sense advocated that the thirteen original colonies (which later became the United States) gain independence from Great Britain. In his pamphlet, Paine makes a passionate case for independence by focusing on moral and political arguments. For almost three months, Paine managed to maintain his anonymity and did not become officially connected with the independence controversy until March 30, 1776. In the first section of Common Sense, Paine makes a distinction between society and government, arguing that government is a "necessary evil." As society continues to evolve, Paine feels that a government becomes necessary in order to prevent the natural evil in humankind, and accordingly, he sees the need for laws. He explains that order must be promoted in a civil society. Further, laws must take into consideration the impossibility of all people in a society meeting centrally to make laws. Therefore representation and elections become necessary. This model is intended to mirror the situation of the colonists at the time of publication and Paine references the Constitution of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. However, Paine identifies two tyrannies in the British constitution-monarchical and aristocratic tyranny, where those in power rule by heredity and contribute nothing to the people. He clearly detests this.