Discontent as a catalyst for revolution

¶ … Common Sense by Thomas Paine, and the Declaration of Independence as to which had a greater or stronger effect on the colonists. This essay will ultimately suggest that the Declaration of Independence was a more effective document due to its ability to reform the colonies into a republic. This essay will first describe Common Sense and its impact before doing the same with the Decleartaion of Independence.

Common Sense

Common Sense was a pamphlet written by an outspoken colonist rebel named Thomas Paine. Paine's intent of this writing was to summon emotional and political support for those wishing to revolt against the British Monarchy. Common Sense was written in 1776, the same year as the Declaration of Independence, and they both had a complimentary impact on their historic value due to this timing.

Common Sense is a rallying cry for those wishing a better life, and more freedom to stand up against the unfair taxation and treatment that was being handed out by the hands of the British. The argument contained in the writing is valid, but Paine's use of emotion and exaggeration perhaps, relegates this important document to more of a piece of political propaganda. If anything Paine's Common sense stands as a prominent piece of propoaganda that demonstrates the power of rallying and amassing the collectives emotions for purposes of revolutionary change.

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson, was a formalized writing that attempted to break away from the British Empire. The document was challenging and, like Paine, compared the British to an evil tyranny that was unfairly treating the colonists. Jefferson's style and tone was representative of his statesman stature and corralled more of the collective's leadership energy towards a goal of breaking away from their rulers.