Why was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense considered radical?
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was considered radical for several reasons:
1. Challenging monarchy: Paine directly attacked the institution of the monarchy, arguing that hereditary rule was an outdated and unjust system. He believed that power should be derived from the consent of the governed.
2. Advocating for complete independence: Paine’s pamphlet called for the complete independence of the American colonies from British rule. This was a radical idea at the time, as many colonists still hoped for a reconciliation with Britain rather than complete separation.
3. Popularizing revolutionary ideas: Paine's pamphlet spread revolutionary ideas and arguments to a wide audience. It simplified complex political theories and presented them in a way that ordinary people could understand, making the revolutionary cause more accessible to the common man.
4. Proposing a republican government: Paine advocated for a republican form of government, in which power would be vested in representatives elected by the people. This challenged the traditional notion that monarchs or aristocrats should rule.
5. Criticizing British authority: Paine criticized British authority throughout his pamphlet, arguing that the British government had failed in its obligations to protect and govern the colonies in a fair and just manner. This criticism of British authority was seen as radical and treasonous by many loyalists to the British crown.
Overall, Common Sense was considered radical because it called for the overthrow of the monarchy, complete independence, and the establishment of a republican government. It challenged the existing social and political order, ultimately playing a significant role in shaping public opinion towards the American Revolution.