Recipe for Revolution

Essay by mdaniel2015College, UndergraduateA, November 2014

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Daniel Frost

HIST1001

Dr. Sauer

MWF 8:00 AM

A Recipe for Revolution

The American Revolution was arguably the greatest underdog story of the modern era. During this time, the oppression of the American people reached its climax. While the standard of living for an American person was at an all-time high years before the revolution, many people during this time resented the mother country of England. The influence of the monarchy was widespread, having roots in almost every country across the globe. In this environment where the monarchy ruled from afar, the perfect combination of elements lined up, leaving room for revolutionaries like Thomas Paine. Paine, unlike many colonists, was one of few to outwardly show his disapproval of England, and specifically King George III. During the heedless conflict, Paine drafted perhaps the most influential American document of all time, exempting the Declaration and the Constitution. Thomas Paine published Common Sense in January 1776, which argued for the individual rights of people and the legality of revolution.

This work proved to be extremely powerful, and became the model for many revolutions thereafter. The environment for Paine to write Common Sense was the perfect recipe for rebellion, and he quickly justified the American conflict.

Paine's writing was notably influential for the time period because of his address on individual rights. Starting out, Paine makes an example of England and King George III. Explaining his blunt disapproval in the introduction of Common Sense, Paine writes that he believes England focuses solely on the rights of the mother country. This in itself, and the oppression that American's are suffering, allows for the exploration and curiosity of the American society (Paine 1). In essence, he claims that government is an agreement. An agreement between the King and his people, that the...