Global Significance Of The American Struggle For Independence Essay

In the American colonies between 1763 and 1775, a burning desire for freedom and to rid themselves of the perpetual taxation sparked within the aggravated colonists; leading to the people of the thirteen colonies to declare their separation from Great Britain. The British government placed a multitude of restraints onto the American colonists which limited the colonies ability to develop as a region in the process. In 1763 the Proclamation Act was passed which forbade the colonists to settle West of the Appalachian Mountains and required people who were previously living on that land to move back to the East. The American colonist was extremely frustrated at that passing of this law since they won the French and Indian War for the British

The colonies needed an inspiration a voice to show them what they needed to fight for and that voice was Thomas Pine. A pamphlet was written by a man named Thomas Paine this pamphlet had a huge impact on the people of the thirteen colonies. The pamphlet was letting people know why they needed to fight for their independence. the pamphlet was titled Common Sense. this is what it's about "In these following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain argument, and common sense..."

Elena Contreras Mrs. Polatty AP US. History/4B 20 September 2016 DBQ #1 WC: Scattered across the timeline of the period that includes the 17th and 18th centuries, the English colonies managed to construct an uncommon government system filled with revolutionary ideas that only pertained to their specific group. They created a unique government that permitted each individual person to have a say in the decisions about the country. The whole general idea of political rights created a well-known status that was unique to America alone.

Freedom Even though the colonists did not have a clear understanding of freedom because they were under the rule of a tyrant, the Speech in the Virginia Convention and Crisis #1, written by Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine, both motivated the colonists and congress to aspire and achieve freedom. Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry both used very similar quotes to motivate the colonists into realizing that fighting the British king would grant them freedom at last. No matter how many times the American colonists attempted to resolve things through petitions, remonstrations, and arguments the British were right there, smiling insidiously, but only proved to snare their feet. The colonists were tired of these lies and insults, so this is where Paine and Henry step in.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine Mikayel Grigoryan History 11 Alicia Rodriquez-Estrada Thomas Paine was an unknown British writer. In 1774 Thomas pain arrived Philadelphia. When he arrived Philadelphia, the tension was high between colonists and British there. He saw wars and discrimination. In Paine’s view there were no motive for the colonies to stay dependent on England.

Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all Lovers of Mankind are affected, and in the Event of which, their Affections are interested (Paine, 1776)”. Thomas Paine disagrees with the British government and the way they handling business he encouraged Americas to declare their independence. The Declaration of independence was a documented created by Thomas Jefferson that announced the split from the colonies and Great Britain, it. The Declaration of Independence states “we hold these…all men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights...that when any form of government becomes destructive... It is the right of the people to alter or abolish it (Jefferson, 1776)”.

The over taxed, under represented people of America needed a strong declaration showing their resolve to be free from Britain. Without the strength of The Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s writing, the Revolution against Britain may not have been as successful and could have potentially affected modern day life negatively. This powerful document still has importance in the lives of Americans years after Thomas Jefferson wrote The Declaration of Independence. Thomas Paine’s Essay, despite the importance of, does not compare to The Declaration of Independence.

Throughout the excerpts of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” he makes many compelling points on why America during that time was in the perfect position for independence. In the first paragraph Paine writes about how the economy of the colonies could thrive if they were not under the rule of the Britain. He makes points on how if America was not limited in trade by Britain and the colonies had its own legislative branch the economy would be a lot stronger. In the second paragraph Thomas Paine talks about how in the past if the colonies tried to rebel their military would not have been ready but during the time “Common Sense” was written the American military was ready. Another factor in why Paine supported Colonist independence was because it was

“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind” (Paine 1). With the Revolutionary War beginning in 1775, and the publication of Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, only a year later, this statement was widely recognized and addressed the issue at hand: the fight for independence. According to Paine’s assertion, America’s desire for peace and freedom is a basic necessity of life; it is what all men desire. Despite this innate thirst for liberty, many residents of America’s thirteen colonies were fearful of Great Britain, and because of this fear, complied with Great Britain’s every whim. Consequently, most colonists were hesitant to fight against the mother country for independence.

Common Sense was an important stepping stone towards independence. Thomas Paine was a person who advocated and supported egalitarian principles. He believed that all people are equal and deserved equal rights and opportunities. Thomas goal was to influence to people in the Thirteen Colonies to stand for independence from Great Britain. The thirteen colonies were a group of British colonies on the east coast of North America.

In his discussion, Paine argues out that apart from gaining international respect, America would advance its own security and commerce by being able to trade with other partners in Europe and the globe. He mentions that all Europe should benefit from America’s goods not only Britain. He explains that by saying British are not the only people who settled the continent but different parts of Europe, so British should not be the only European country to benefit from the colonies. As a result of all the reasons above, the colonies needed no reason to continue submitting to Britain authority and should gain their

Paine is against America having a connection with Britain and a single person having power. As Paine expresses, King George III is not and should not be able to be in power of the colonists because mankind is created to be equal and therefore kings should be “disapproved by nature” (Paine 217). Not only does Paine express his anger at the topic of a ruler for all, he also voices that America is connected to whatever Britain does and whatever problems Britain has: implying that America has no say what so ever under Britain (Paine 218). Paine is suggesting that Britain is not only hurting but also is subordinating America and its colonies, so a declaration of independence is in need.

The British government was not looking for the best of the people. They were only thinking about what they wanted; the government was not interested in what the people wanted so they decided to make decisions on their own, which resulted in changes that form the United States today. Because of this, they were justified in rebelling and declaring independence. One reason why the colonists decided to rebel and declare independence was because of taxation.

Before this many Colonists did not know of the harsh injustices done by the British. They also did not believe that the cause for revolution was urgent. Thomas Paine showed them that the cause was urgent by explaining the wrongs the British had committed and why King George was a tyrant. He also showed them that America did not need the British Empire 's protection. This quote shows his reasoning “Small islands, not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.”

The people of America (colonists) were tired of being controlled by England. They wanted to be free and independent. They believed that they were able to control themselves and be their own country. They wanted England to let go of their control and to view them as independent and their own country.