Common Sense: The Strategy for Independence

Although most colonists during the American Revolution believed in their “parent” country and its government, Thomas Paine changed their minds by questioning England being a parent country, by refuting England’s government, and by preaching monarchy as a sin.
First of all, Paine detested hearing England being called America’s “parent” country. His arguments come from the treatment of the child by the parent. England was occupying America with troops. Fights would break out and the outcome would be child abuse, the parent beating up the child. Also, the taxation of America proved dependence upon the child for the survival of the family. The parent should be out making the money and supporting the child, not vice versa. Tax revenue went straight to the king and he disbursed it however he saw fit, which usually meant into his pocket and not to the colonies
Also, the size difference and distance proved England unfit to be called a “parent”. Paine touches on bib...