Thoughts on common sense and Federalist No. 10

Common Sense & Fed #

Thomas Paine: Common Sense

Thomas Paine argues in Common Sense that America should declare independence from Great Britain because submission to, or dependence on, Great Britain tends to directly involve the colonies in European wars and quarrels and sets them at odds with nations that would otherwise "seek our friendship, and against whom, we have neither anger nor complaint."[footnoteRef:1] [1: Thomas Paine, "Common Sense." Constitution Society (1776). Accessed September 19, 2012. http://www.constitution.org/tp/comsense.htm ]

Paine asserts that the strongest arguments for staying part of the British Empire are that she had her military protect the colonies and furthermore, that America has flourished under this relationship. He also points out that some argue that this connection is necessary if the colonies are to continue to flourish and it will always be this way.

However, Paine rejects these arguments claiming that America would have flourished as much, and probably more without her British connection. That the commerce generated by her labor will always have a market as long as "eating is the custom of Europe."[footnoteRef:2] Moreover, the protection provided by Great Britain has not the result of benevolence but a desire to protect her dominion and trade interests and has come at the colonist's expense as well as Great Britain's. [2: Thomas Paine, "Common Sense." Constitution Society (1776). Accessed September 19, 2012. http://www.constitution.org/tp/comsense.htm ]

Paine further argues that America's connection with Great Britain is hampering relationships with other European nations. America is hindered by Great Britain's foreign policy. Moreover, war between England and a foreign power ruins American trade. He claims that "Europe, and not England, is the parent country of America."[footnoteRef:3] Paine suggests that commerce will secure peace and friendship with all of Europe because that it is in Europe's best interest that America is a free port. [3: Thomas Paine, "Common Sense." Constitution Society (1776). Accessed September 19, 2012. http://www.constitution.org/tp/comsense.htm]

Paine sites a number of reasons for pressing forth with revolution at once. The number of colonists was sufficient to rebel, but not so great as to be unable to reach an agreement on the matter. The passage of time might make it impossible to form the continent into a nation. The various colonial interests as well as the inevitable increase in trade would diminish the united purpose and pit colony against colony. "Each being able might scorn each other's assistance: and while the proud and foolish gloried in their little distinctions, the wise would lament that the union had not been formed before. Wherefore, the present time is the true time for establishing it."[footnoteRef:4] The youth of the colonies and the common misfortunes suffered at the hands of the King creates a common bond between the colonies that may never exist again. Hence the present time is ripe and this opportunity may never come again. [4: Thomas Paine, "Common Sense." Constitution Society (1776). Accessed September 19, 2012. http://www.constitution.org/tp/comsense.htm ]