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[[File:thomas paine.jpg|thumbnail|250px230px|left|Thomas Paine]] Colonial Americans enjoyed relative independence from England until 1763, which marked the cessation of the Seven Years’ War. Prior to that time, the British government had paid little attention to the domestic affairs conducted by their American colonists. The war was costly; however, and England deemed it appropriate that American colonies contribute to the war debt and the costs associated with stationing British troops on American soil. The British government assessed taxes on the colonies yet denied colonists the right to Parliamentary representation in the House of Commons.  As a result, Americans saw themselves as being subordinates to the Crown rather than as equal members of the British Empire, thus prompting the colonists to rebel against their mother country in the name of liberty. Parliament’s actions fostered a sense of rebellion amongst the inhabitants of America, while Thomas Paine unleashed a patriotic fervor throughout the colonies that solidified a nation.

==== Taxes ====When Parliament passed the Sugar Act of 1764, the British pride felt by Americans quickly began to wane.<ref>Eric Foner, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393920291/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0393920291&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=830d9faf1c14899644e25151f167242f Give Me Liberty! An American History]'', 2nd ed., vol. 1 (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009), 171.</ref>Although this act did decrease the taxes paid by colonists on imported molasses, the long -established practice of smuggling goods in and out of the country, which violated the Navigation Acts of 1651, was no longer feasible.<ref>Foner, 83.</ref>The Sugar Act, along with the simultaneously enacted Revenue Act, was detrimental to coastal merchants. The Revenue Act mandated that wools, hides, and other items that were not previously subjected to the Navigation Acts, were required to pass through England rather than being shipped directly from America to their destinations. This was another yet attempt by King George to attain money from the colonies in order to reduce England’s war debt. American citizens, already feeling the pangs of post -war recession, were feeling their economic security threatened.

==== Signs of Unification ==[[File:Sons_of_Liberty_Broadside,_1765.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Sons of Liberty broadside, 1765.]]==Americans surprised London merchants by boycotting English goods while the Stamp Act was in effect. Colonists banded together, with the urging of such groups as like the Sons of Liberty, and posted numerous broadsides and conducted impromptu meetings in the streets to heighten their fellow citizens’ awareness of the oppressive actions being taken by Parliament. Groups such as these began to appear throughout the colonies and politics began to consume the thoughts and conversations not only of colonial leaders, but of average citizens as well.  According to historian Eric Foner, “Parliament had inadvertently united America.”<ref>Foner, 173.</ref>Rather than seeing themselves as separate entities, the colonies were cooperating rather instead of competing with one another. Colonial unification In October 1765, the colonies became more formal in October 1765 unified when the Colonial Congress met to discuss the Stamp Act Congress met in New York. Colonial leaders convened and formally advocated the boycott of British goods. The boycott posed a formidable economic threat to London merchants, who successfully persuaded Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act just one year after its issuance. ==== Boston ====[[File:bostonteaparty.jpg|thumbnail|350px|left|Image depicting the Boston Tea Party, 1773.]]On March 5, 1770, the Boston Massacre pushed the colonists closer together and increased the level of dissent against the British across the colonies. The Massacre was a confrontation between colonists and British soldiers on the streets of Boston that escalated to violence resulting in the death of five Bostonians by British soldiers. The details of the event were (and still are) blurred and biased, yet Massachusetts silversmith Paul Revere created an etching that depicted British soldiers executing unarmed Bostonians. This type of propaganda escalated anti-British sentiment, which in turn bolstered colonial pride and the determination to gain and hold liberty. The quest for liberty and equal justice was exemplified by the action of John Adams when he chose to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. Adams held that to fight for justice and equality, all were due to a fair trial, including the British soldiers. His loyalty to the Patriot cause was well known, thus affording him the ability to emerge from this endeavor unscathed and with his esteemed reputation intact. With the new taxes imposed and continued Crown intervention, Americans became more ardent in their resolve that they would not become enslaved to a distant government. Liberty was on the minds of patriots while the idea of independence from the British Empire crept into the discussions of colonial leaders. The climactic event which propelled the final split with England came on December 16, 1773, when certain colonists engaged in what became to be known as the Boston Tea Party. Sam Adams supposedly instigated the act of disposing of a shipment of British tea into Boston Harbor; which cost the Crown over ten thousand pounds in revenue. The Tea Act issued earlier in the year agitated rebellious colonists to the point of destructive and violent action.

== Boston ==The growing trend of unification among subsequent reaction from London was to further oppress the colonists and dissention towards the British came to through a violent climax on March 5, 1770 in an event known as stringent new set of laws Americans called the Boston MassacreIntolerable Acts. King George’s wrath was aimed at New England. A confrontation between colonists and British soldiers on Thus he closed the streets port of Boston escalated to violence resulting in until compensation was made for the death of five Bostonianslost tea revenue. The details of the event were (and still are) blurred and biasedThrough these acts, yet town meetings in Massachusetts silversmith Paul Revere created an etching that depicted British soldiers executing unarmed Bostonians. This type of propaganda escalated anti-were stifled; the British sentiment, which government appointed council members in turn bolstered colonial pride and the determination to gain New England and hold liberty. The quest for liberty and equal justice was exemplified by the action of John Adams when he chose to defend the British lodged soldiers involved in the Boston Massacreprivate homes. Adams held that in order to fight for justice and equality<ref>Foner, 180.</ref>Outrage swept not only through New England but throughout all were due a fair trial, including the British soldiers. His loyalty to the Patriot cause was well known, thus affording him the ability to emerge from this endeavor unscathed and with his esteemed reputation intactAmerican colonies.

With the new taxes imposed and continued Crown intervention, Americans became more ardent in their resolve that they would not become enslaved to a distant government. Liberty was on the minds of patriots while the idea of independence from the British Empire crept into the discussions of colonial leaders. The climactic event which propelled the final split with England came on December 16, 1773 when certain colonists engaged in what became to be known as the Boston Tea Party. Sam Adams supposedly instigated the act of disposing of a shipment of British tea into Boston Harbor; which cost the Crown over ten thousand pounds in revenue. The Tea Act issued earlier in the year agitated rebellious colonists to the point of destructive and violent action. [[File:bostonteaparty.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Image depicting the Boston Tea Party, 1773.]]The subsequent reaction from London was to further oppress the colonists through a stringent new set of laws Americans called the Intolerable Acts. King George’s wrath was aimed at New England, thus he closed the port of Boston until compensation was made for the lost tea revenue. Through these acts, town meetings in Massachusetts were stifled; the British government appointed council members in New England and lodged soldiers in private homes.<ref>Foner, 180.<dh-ad/ref>Outrage swept not only through New England but throughout all American colonies.

==== ''Common Sense'' ====[[File:commonsense.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Cover of the pamphlet, ''Common Sense.'']]In an ironic twist, colonists who were once filled with British pride were now consumed with American patriotism. When Americans realized they were would never to be thought of as considered equals to with Englishmen, they resolved to find that sense of equality among themselves; while concurrently denying such liberties to those who were deemed inferior. Such men as John and Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry courageously paved the path to freedom for white men in the colonies. Arguably, the man most instrumental in the movement towards independence, and perhaps the forgotten Founding Father, was Thomas Paine. [[File:commonsense.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Cover of the pamphlet, ''Common Sense.'']]An Englishman born in 1737, Paine arrived in Philadelphia on November 30, 1774 at the urging of Benjamin Franklin. Paine defined the origin of government as “a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world.”<ref>Thomas Paine, “Common Sense,” 1776, in ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486296024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486296024&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d78cfe9337d9078ded91c6e41d82b646 Common Sense, Rights of Man, and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine]'' (New York: Signet, 2003), 7.</ref> He believed governmental representation was a right for every citizen and wrote his pamphlet, ''Common Sense'', in a language accessible to all. Through Paine’s words, poor white citizens were able to envision a role in the electoral process and a voice in legislature. For generations these people were seen as intellectually inferior to the gentry class and were therefore deemed unworthy of consideration. Although far less educated than the elites, the lower classes were not necessarily less intelligent. Their grasp of politics and understanding of freedom was recognized by Thomas Paine. Paine’s language and call for a new form of government struck a chord with common men and invoked a sense of purpose among small farmers and poor whites. His words instilled ideas in average citizens and brought to light notions held within this group that had lain dormant in their hearts and minds. Public discussions took place among commoners regarding politics and social change. People envisioned a future in which their wishes were considered. The generals and diplomats may have been gentry but the men fighting and dying were common farmers.

An Englishman born in 1737, Paine arrived in Philadelphia on November 30, 1774, at the urging of Benjamin Franklin. Paine defined the origin of government as “a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world.”<ref>Thomas Paine, “Common Sense,” 1776, in ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486296024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486296024&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId= d78cfe9337d9078ded91c6e41d82b646 Common Sense, Rights of Man, and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine]''s Influence ==One reason (New York: Signet, 2003), 7.</ref> He believed governmental representation was a right for every citizen and wrote his pamphlet, ''Common Sense'' was such an influential piece was because it was written , in a manner understandable by language accessible to all. Most subsistence farmers of the time did not have an education conducive Through Paine’s words, poor white citizens were able to understanding envision a role in the essence of someone such as philosopher John Locke. Paine used electoral process and a common language voice in order to appeal to people in all levels of societythe legislature. By doing soFor generations, he discredited these people were seen as intellectually inferior to the notion that poor farmers gentry class and others were therefore deemed unworthy of consideration. Although far less educated than the elites, the lower classes had no choice but to abide by any law put forth by a distant governmentwere not necessarily less intelligent. Individually they did not, but when Thomas Paine erased the sense recognized their grasp of politics and understanding of isolation prevalent throughout the rural communities, he did in fact enlighten those citizens, which in turn elicited their response to revoke tacit consentfreedom.

A second reason for the success of Paine’s work is that his words appealed to the overwhelmingly Protestant audience which comprised the citizenship of the colonies. Well aware of his audience, Paine expressly employed biblical rhetoric to convey to the colonists that God is the only king language and that it angers Him to be aware call for a new form of anyone else in His role. Paine selected biblical quotations that indicate it is wrong, government struck a chord with everyday men and even blasphemous to give invoked a man the title sense of “king”, which suggests God can be replacedpurpose among small farmers and poor whites. By quoting His words instilled ideas in average citizens and alluding brought to scripture early light notions held within this group that had lain dormant in his argument, Paine captured his audiencetheir hearts and minds. Through his use of history, religion, Public discussions took place among commoners regarding politics and sheer logic, Thomas Paine presented social change. People envisioned a very convincing argument that a monarchy is a blasphemous and oppressive form of government from future in which liberty for the common man could never be realizedtheir wishes were considered. He assured his readers that they were more worthy of God’s gifts than a greedy tyrant The generals and that God did indeed create everyone equally. This of course is diplomats may have been gentry but the premise upon which the Declaration of Independence is basedmen fighting and dying were ordinary farmers.

==== Paine made a plea to potential patriots by confidently stating that “The nearer any government approaches to a republic the less business there is for a king.”<ref>Paine, 20.</ref>Once Paine instilled this thought in the reader, he continued to raise the fear that without a republic “slavery ensues.”<ref>Paine, 21.</ref>This was an especially powerful notion as Parliament was levying taxes at a rapid pace and without some form of legislative representation, farmers, trappers, and shippers were certain to have their livelihoods threatened, if not completely eradicated. It can therefore be argued that the combination of England’s taxation policies and the release of ''Common Sense'', worked in concert to create one cohesive nation rather than thirteen loosely joined colonies.s Influence ====

== Conclusion ==In the introduction to One reason ''Common Sense'', Paine declares “a long habit of not thinking a thing ''wrong'', gives was such an influential piece was because it was written in a superficial appearance manner understandable by all. Most subsistence farmers of being ''right''.”<ref>Paine,3.</ref>This simple sentence opened the minds of common citizens time did not have an education conducive to understanding the possibilities essence of someone such as philosopher John Locke. Paine used a less oppressive future common language to appeal to people in an egalitarian all levels of society for white men. Thomas Paine anonymously unleashed By doing so, he discredited the buried patriot spirit notion that poor farmers and others of average American coloniststhe lower classes had no choice but to abide by any law put forth by a distant government. While Parliament was implementing strict tax laws and occupying the American continentIndividually they did not, Thomas but when Paine was transforming erased the lives and attitudes of its inhabitants. England created an atmosphere sense of future subservience among isolation prevalent throughout the colonistsrural communities, while Thomas Paine reached out he did enlighten those citizens, which in turn elicited their response to these same people and through his inspired words, fomented a revolutionrevoke tacit consent.

Paine made a plea to potential patriots by confidently stating that “The nearer any government approaches a republic the less business there is for a king.”<div class="portal" style="width:85%ref>Paine, 20.</ref>Once Paine instilled this thought in the reader;"he continued to raise the fear that without a republic “slavery ensues.”<ref>==Related DailyHistoryPaine, 21.org Articles==*[[Thomas Jefferson</ref>This was an especially powerful notion as Parliament was levying taxes at a rapid pace and without some form of legislative representation, farmers, trappers, and shippers were certain to have their livelihoods threatened, if not completely eradicated. It can be argued that the Founding Fathers combination of England’s taxation policies and Christianity: Interview with Sam Haselby]]*[[Social History the release of American Medicine Top Ten Booklist]]*[[Gilded Age/Progressive Era History Top Ten Booklist]]*[[Hodges' Scout: Interview with Len Travers]]*[[American Revolution Top Ten Booklist]]</div>'Common Sense'', worked in concert to create one cohesive nation rather than thirteen loosely joined colonies.

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