Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence

People often confuse the American Revolution for the War for Independence. Although they share similar motives and similar actions, they are not one in the same. As John Adams made note of in a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1815, "What do we mean by the Revolution? The war? That was no part of the Revolution" (Bailyn, 1967, p. 1). He goes on to explain the war was more of a consequence and effect than a part of it as it developed.

The Revolution existed in the minds of people long before the one heard the first gun shot. "The records of thirteen legislatures, the pamphlets, newspapers in all the colonies, ought to be consulted during that period to ascertain the steps by which the public opinion was enlightened and informed concerning the authority of Parliament over the colonies." This lesson examines the "Revolution in the minds of the people" (Bailyn, 1967, p. 1).

In writing this, Adams focuses on describing Thomas Paine's extraordinarily influential pamphlet titled Common Sense, which was published in January 1776 having multiple reprints (25 times) in the following year, helping to inspire the Declaration of Independence. The American Revolution inspired the War for Independence. Common Sense inspired The Declaration of Independence. This is where this essay will focus on in explaining the differences and similarities of both works.

Although Common Sense fueled the decision to write the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration of Independence was and still is an effective piece of writing that cemented the independence of a nation. Inspiration plays a pivotal role in generating the seeds of change; however, it is the action of establishment that produces long-term effects. Body Thomas Paine born 1737 and dying 1809, wrote numerous books and pamphlets most consider greatly added to "delegitimizing" the entitlements to power of the mother country or British state.

Paine proclaimed that "society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one" (Sargent, 1997, p. 60) and engaged the reader, allowing the reader to focus on the dialog of the nature of monarchs in the Bible. Something as well-known as the Bible enabled readers to associate and connect easily with Paine's words and ideas.

As to the precise assertions of the British Empire, Paine stated, "No man in his senses can say that their claim under William the Conqueror is a very honorable one. A French bastard, landing with an armed banditti and establishing himself king of England against the consent of the natives…" (Wilensky, Richardson & Paine, 2008, p. 168). Essentially meaning no one can easily convince the natives of submitting to a ruler, especially one that is not like them.

This is what fueled the writing of the Declaration of Independence but by no means proved to be as effective. The Declaration of Independence exited as more than a measly declaration of purpose to cut political relations with Britain. Similarly, to Common Sense, it is a sensibly created argument justifying that aim. Just like Common Sense, it ranks by many as one of the ultimate and most significant political documents in history.

The Founders presented a careful set of opinions and arguments for fortified revolution, a course not commenced lightly, with full mindfulness of the penalties. When he signed the document, concluding with "We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor," (Haran, 2010, p. 224) each signatory recognized that he was perhaps signing his own death authorization in the possible event of failure. Something like this marks a clear difference with Common Sense and The Declaration of Independence. There were no clear stakes or sacrifice for Thomas Paine.

However, Thomas Jefferson and those that signed the Declaration of Independence did. If America lost the War of Independence, those that began the true Revolution would have been killed. People like Thomas Paine may have escaped the wrath of the British Empire, but not Thomas Jefferson. Again, inspiration is not the same execution. Thomas Jefferson born 1743, dying in 1826, drafted the Declaration of Independence in order to begin the shift from British Monarchy to American Independence. In doing so, he attempted to place common sense before humankind.

Libertarian ideas, previously influenced by John Locke and then Thomas Paine, permeated popular American thinking on subjects of morality and politics. In fact, although Thomas Paine was influential in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson used several phrases from Locke's Second Treatise of Government showing the influence of both past and present.