Final answer:
Thomas Paine believed that an American victory against the British would be a victory for humans everywhere because it represented the triumph of human rights and freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine believed that an American victory against the British would affect so many because he saw it as a triumph for human rights and freedom. Paine was influenced by Enlightenment ideals, such as the concept of natural rights and the duty of governments to their people. He argued that the British government had failed in its duty to the American colonists and that independence would allow them to establish a government based on the principles of equality and popular sovereignty.
Thomas Paine believed American independence would inspire others globally because it was a fight for Enlightenment ideals of human rights and self-governance. His ideas in 'Common Sense' advocated for a republic based on popular sovereignty, providing an alternative model to monarchy and imperial rule. Paine saw the Revolution's success as a beacon for democratic aspirations worldwide.
Thomas Paine, an influential figure of the American Revolution, believed that American independence would hold profound implications for the entire world. Paine, who was deeply influenced by the Enlightenment ideals, argued in his pamphlet Common Sense that independence from British rule was not only a fight for the American colonies but was also a broader battle for human rights and dignity. By rejecting the hereditary monarchy and advocating for a republic rooted in the principles of popular sovereignty, Paine's vision represented a radical departure from traditional governance and signalled an era where people fought for their natural rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Paine's notion that America's struggle was globally significant stemmed from his understanding that the colonies' success in securing freedom would inspire others oppressed by colonial or authoritarian regimes. The American Revolution, built upon frustrations with British imperialism, served as a beacon of hope for other nations and populations who aspired to similar freedoms and self-determination. His work, therefore, was not simply a call to arms for American colonists but a testament to the universal struggle for democratic ideals and the end of oppressive rule.
Thus, Paine's assertion that American victory would be a win for mankind rests on this premise: independence would prove the practical viability of Enlightenment thought, demonstrating that a society could indeed govern itself through elected representation, respect for individual rights, and adherence to the concept of a social contract, all of which were fundamental shifts from monarchic and colonial systems that had dominated much of the world.