Question

In Common Sense, Thomas Paine made a case for American independence on which grounds?

Option a: British institutions were doing great taking care of colonists.
Option b: British institutions were turning whites into slaves.
Option c: British leaders had little regard for the best interests of the colonists.
Option d: British leaders were overlooking the important contributions of colonists.

Answer 1

Thomas Paine made a case for American independence in 'Common Sense' because he believed British leaders neglected the best interests of the colonists, which is answer option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued for American independence on the grounds that British institutions and leadership had failed to safeguard the interests of the colonists. The correct option in reference to the grounds Thomas Paine made in Common Sense for American independence is option c: British leaders had little regard for the best interests of the colonists. Paine criticized hereditary monarchy and posited that if a king did not protect the interests of his subjects, the subjects had no reason to keep him in power. He emphasized that the relationship between the American colonies and Britain had shifted from one of mutual benefit to the colonies being suppressed in their economic and political growth. Paine's pamphlet appealed to both the economic sensibilities of merchants and the Enlightenment principles of natural rights and governance, which argues that a government has a duty to the people.