Question

Read this passage from The Crisis. What rationale is Paine using for going to war with Great Britain?

My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light. Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief break into my house, burn and destroy my property, and kill or threaten to kill me, or those that are in it, and to “bind me in all cases whatsoever,” to his absolute will, am I to suffer it? What signifies it to me, whether he who does it, is a king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman? whether it is done by an individual villain, or an army of them? If we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference; neither can any just cause be assigned why we should punish in the one case, and pardon in the other. . .


It would lead to independence from Britain


It would be a defensive war


It would be an offensive war


It is waged against an army of countrymen

Answer 1

it would be an offensive war

Answer 2

It would be an offensive war

Step-by-step explanation:

As he explains why both end of war, both sides of whoever battle or fight are struggling with the difficulties of making someone suffering, he speaks about if he is trying to attack your house, your home, and try to make a damage, this means that if their are able to defend themsleves why wouldn´t they, this means that both side are the same the defendant and the offensive, so might as well try and attack the other side of the fight.