_Editor's Note: Thomas Paine was an English-born American
political activist
and the author of the famous
pamphlet
"Common Sense." The pamphlet, published in 1776, listed the arguments for the 13 colonies to declare
independence
from Great Britain in language the common people could understand. It is widely regarded as one of the most important, if not the most important, texts of the revolutionary era._
"The Struggle Between England And America"
"In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense;...
Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America. Men of all ranks have embarked in the controversy, from different motives, and with various designs; but all have been ineffective, and the period of debate is closed. Arms, as the last resource, must decide the contest. This appeal was the choice of the king, and our continent hath accepted the challenge…
America would have flourished and been successful as much, and probably much more, had no European power had anything to do with her. American goods, the sale of which Britain has enriched herself, are the necessaries of life. These will always have a market while eating is a European custom...
Britain has protected us, say some. That she has engrossed us is true. That she defended the continent at our expense as well as her own is admitted. She would have defended Turkey from the same motives, that is for the sake of trade and dominance. We have boasted the protection of Great Britain without considering that her motive was interest, not attachment. She did not protect us from our enemies on our account but from her enemies on her own account. She protected us from those who had no quarrel with us on any other account, and who will always be our enemies as long as we are associated with Britain. France and Spain never were, nor perhaps ever will be, our enemies as Americans, except as our being the subjects of Great Britain.
"Our Duty To Mankind At Large"
Our plan is
commerce
, and that, well attended to, will secure us the peace and friendship of all Europe. It is the interest of all Europe to have America as a free port. Her traded goods will always be a protection. Her barrenness of gold and silver will secure her from invaders...
I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage exists. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe. Our imported goods must be paid for, buy them where we will...
But the injuries and disadvantages, which we sustain by that connection are without number. Our duty to mankind at large, as well as to ourselves, instructs us to give up the alliance. For any submission to or dependence on Great Britain tends directly to involve this continent in European wars and quarrels. It sets us at odds with nations who would otherwise seek our friendship, and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint. As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European concerns. American never can do this, while, by her dependence on Britain, she is made the makeweight in the scale of British politics...
"Folly And Childishness"
As to government matters, it is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice. The business of it will soon be too weighty and complex to be managed by a power so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us. For if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. Britain is always running 3,000 or 4,000 miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which, when obtained, requires five or six more to explain it in. This will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness ‐ there was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease..."
Which two of the following sentences from the article include central ideas of the article?
1. In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense;...
2. But the injuries and disadvantages, which we sustain by that connection are without number.
3. As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it.
4. The business of it will soon be too weighty and complex to be managed by a power so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us.
the answers
A. 1 and 2
B. 3 and 4
C. 1 and 3
D. 2 and 4