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Aufsatz
Geschichte / Historik

Universität Freiburg

2015

Mona B. ©
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ID# 59378







Which of the following was more influential in inspiring the American colonies to declare independence?

Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense

or

John Locke's Two Treatises of Government


The declaration of independence marked an important point in American history during the war of independence. The question is now which of this book inspired the American colonies more to declare independence, Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense or John Locke's Two Treatises of Government.

Both texts were important, but I suggest, that for the decision itself to declare independence Thomas Paine's pamphlet influenced the politicians of the Continental Congress more, but the essay from John Locke was more important when Thomas Jefferson was writing the declaration of independence.


John Locke's essay Two Treatises was published in Europe before the Americans even started thinking about revolution. It was older but still important during this time. The essay had lots of ideas about human rights and democracy. Locke declared that under natural law all people have the right to life, liberty, and estate.

In some cases, Locke even deemed revolution an obligation which was important to the Americans. Because now they could support their thirst after liberty and self-determination on a book, which wasn't even from an American author. Also this essay was one big guideline for Thomas Jefferson to write the declaration of independence.


The pamphlet explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence in a way, everybody could understand. No matter if it was a farmer or a gouverneur. Common Sense presented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day.


But now I would like to explain, why I think that Common Sense by Thomas Paine influenced the colonies more to declare independence. The main point for me is, that John Locke's essay influenced more the writing of the declaration of independence than the decision to declare independence.

I think it was Common Sense which brought the idea of revolution into the house of every citizen of the thirteen colonies, and it was the public, it was the point, that so many people supported the revolution which brought the politicians to declare independence.


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