Final answer:
Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' was influential because it presented arguments in simple language that resonated with colonists, advocated for independence and republican government, critiqued hereditary monarchy, and emphasized America's capability for self-governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense played a pivotal role in bolstering the quest for American independence. It was written in a straightforward style that resonated with the average person, rather than only with the elite. Paine argued against monarchy and the British rule, advocating for a republican form of government. His central points included the natural equality of humans, the critique against hereditary monarchy, the British government's failure in its duty to colonial interests, and the economic shackles that restricted colonial trade and growth.
The impact of Common Sense was significant; it turned the tide of public opinion towards independence. The pamphlet made it clear that America had matured beyond the need for British oversight and was capable of self-governance. By combining practical economic arguments with the enlightened ideals of natural rights, Paine's writing appealed to a wide audience, from merchants to philosophers, and played a crucial role in shaping the revolutionary discourse leading up to the Declaration of Independence.