Question

What do you think is Paine’s purpose in this excerpt from Common Sense? Cite evidence from the excerpt to support your claim.

When William the Conqueror subdued England he gave them law at the point of the sword; and until we consent that the seat of government in America, be legally and authoritatively occupied, we shall be in danger of having it filled by some fortunate ruffian, who may treat us in the same manner, and then, where will be our freedom? WheAmerican would be most likely to accept some limitations to their rights when

Answer 1

The main content of the passage is to present a possible situation in which a violent leader imposes the law on the country by force ("at the point of the sword"), which presumably leads to many deaths. This was what has happened, in Paine's interpretation under William the Conqueror in England. The intention is to show that this situation is undesired in America and to encourage Americans to fight against such a government.