Final answer:
Common Sense caused many political leaders to move toward declaring independence from Britain. It also deeply impressed many members of the Continental Congress. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia wrote to Washington, "I am now convinced ... of the necessity for separation."
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet, "Common Sense," published in 1776, played a pivotal role in swaying public opinion and political leaders towards the idea of independence from British rule. The call for independence resonated with the grievances expressed in the pamphlet, and it became a catalyst for a shift in mindset. The members of the Continental Congress, representing the thirteen American colonies, found themselves increasingly influenced by Paine's powerful arguments for breaking ties with Britain.
The word independence underscores the central theme advocated by "Common Sense" – the need for the American colonies to assert their independence and form a new nation. The Continental Congress, as a representative body, felt the impact of this influential work, and it contributed to the momentum for a formal declaration of independence.
The reference to Richard Henry Lee of Virginia underscores the tangible effect of "Common Sense" on individual leaders. Lee's letter to Washington reflects the growing conviction among political figures that separation from British rule was not only justifiable but also a necessary and inevitable course of action for the establishment of a self-governing American nation.