Question

What solution to colonial problems did Thomas Paine propose in Common Sense?

a. Negotiation with the British
b. Establishment of a colonial monarchy
c. Complete independence from Britain
d. Creation of a federal government

Answer 1

Thomas Paine proposed complete independence from Britain in his pamphlet 'Common Sense,' advocating for a representative government and a republican state without a monarchy.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Common Sense, Thomas Paine advocated for complete independence from Britain. He argued against the monarchy, claiming equality as a natural human condition and emphasizing that a hereditary monarchy lacks justification if it fails to prioritize the interests of the people. Paine envisioned an American republic, where the public good would dominate over personal interests, and government would be by elected representatives, not a hereditary monarch. This would ensure that the colonies, which no longer required British governance and were stymied by its trade restrictions, could thrive independently.