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The pamphlet Common Sense, which called for complete independence from Britain, was written by ?

a) Benjamin Franklin
b) Thomas Paine
c) George Washington
d) Thomas Jefferson

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The pamphlet Common Sense, calling for independence from Britain, was written by Thomas Paine. It used simple language and Enlightenment principles to persuade a wide audience and was a factor in the move towards American independence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pamphlet Common Sense, which advocated for complete independence from Britain, was written by Thomas Paine. This influential document was composed in straightforward language to reach a broad audience, effectively spreading revolutionary ideas among the colonists. Paine's arguments presented in Common Sense emphasized the benefits of independence and the disadvantages of remaining under British rule. It played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion towards supporting the American Revolution.Paine's writing was not only accessible but also grounded in the principles of the Enlightenment, reflecting on the natural rights of individuals and the necessary duty of governments to serve their people. This pamphlet, published in 1776, significantly swayed sentiment within the American colonies, contributing to the growing movement for independence which culminated in the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July of that year.Common Sense went beyond academic debate, providing 'simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense', that mobilized the ordinary citizen and the intellectual alike. By addressing both practical concerns and philosophical foundations for self-governance, Paine's work inspired a widespread shift towards the idea of forming a republic, eventually leading to the historic break from British rule.

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