The author of Common Sense had only lived in North America a few years, but his best-selling pamphlet played an important role in changing the course of American history. He said he wanted to present "nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and common sense." Who was the author?

Question

Social Studies

Kaylee Green

26 November, 02:02

The author of Common Sense had only lived in North America a few years, but his best-selling pamphlet played an important role in changing the course of American history. He said he wanted to present "nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and common sense." Who was the author?

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Answers (1)

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Leanna Clayton · Answer 1

The author was Thomas Paine

Explanation:

In less than six months, this small pamphlet altered the course of American history. In Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued that it was absurd for an island to govern an entire continent. He declared that America could be free from war by being free from Britain. One of the most notable and influential arguments in the population of the colonies was that London was too far from the United States to govern it and that the King and Parliament legislated only for the benefit of Britain and not for the benefit of America.

Being a pamphlet of only forty pages, it was read aloud in halls and taverns and it is estimated that more than half the population heard it at least once. The argument was so eloquent that it influenced the vast majority of the population hesitant to support American independence.

Popular support was so widespread that it made it easier for delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in July 1776 to declare independence.