Thursday, October 25, 2007
Response to Common Sense
Paine advocates that America is indepedent and "will never be happy until she gets rid of her foreign dominion" (from Crisis Number 1). Using "Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs," explain the ways that America is independent and self-sufficient; then explain why America needs to be independent.
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8 comments:
"will never be happy until she gets rid of her foreign dominion" (from Crisis Number 1).
From this quote and the reading it can be said that the colonists had many disadvantages in being associated with Britan. Such as, when Britan got into a war the colonists had to help even if they didn't agree with why they were fighting. Also due to the association the colonists couldn't trade with anyone that the British were at war with. The advantage to having the British on the colonists side was the protection... that came with all the taxes. So it was in the best interest for the colonists to seperate from Britan but there was just one way to do this, revolution and or war. It was for Americas best interest to seperate from Britan because the colonists were missing out on trade opertunities and being pushed into ways and governments they didn't want to be in. Once they were independent they could set up any type of government they wanted and trade freely.
By staying with Britain, the colonies are at a disadvantage. They are forced to comply with Britains enemies along with them. So, when Britain is in conflict with another country, America can not trade or associate with them in either way. This hurts the colonies economy and growth. They are limited in who they can trade with and lose out on many profitable situations.
The crown was heavily taxing the colonies to help pay back the French and Indian war that Britain helped America win. They had previously promised to help the colonies when it was in need, but now they are demanding money for their survices. Britain merely protected the colonies for its own benefit, so that it may still control and tax them. This increased the wealth of England but only hurt the colonies furthur. If the colonies were to be ruled, they should be by a power who genuinly wants to defend them, not one doing it out of its own personal interests.
Along with the securities that Britain provides for the colonies, Britain also comes with its disadvantages. When Britain went to war with another country, the colonies were forced into it as well even if they were not directly involved in the conflict or not at all. This also brings the conflict of economics. When Britain went to war, America could not trade with that enemy which decreased many imported and exported goods. So, they had a decreased amount of goods coming into the country as well as a decreased income coming back to them. Britain had protected the colonies during the French and Indian War and therefore thought that they had the right to tax the colonies for the debt that they put themselves into. So in essence, they were charging the colonies for their promised services. Some of their laws even forced them to trade with Britain only through the East India Company. This increased the wealth of a certain royal family in England. Now, they were taking advantage of the colonies and it was time for the colonies to leave this corrupt mother country aside and start new. In this new independent country, they could rule the way that was suitable to their needs as a country and not the needs of another country.
The quote that Paine stated about America under Britian explains that there were a few positives, as well as some negatives. In being controlled by Britian, the colonists were brought into anything that Britian was involved in. This meant that if Britian was in war, well so was America. This broke alliances America had previously had, and put a burden on the economy. Trading with European nations would not work if America was in war against certain countries, therefore money was not made and goods were not exported, which meant that nothing was imported. On the other hand, American would have not won the Revolution without Britian controlling them. If it wasn't for Britian having a strong monarchy over us for several years, we would not be in the political/econimical state that we are in today. Britian's rule over us was both beneficial and hurtful, but later proved necessary for the delevopment of our country today.
Even before America became ‘independent’, it was one of the countries in the world with the most freedom. American citizens had incredibly more individual liberties than their English counterparts. The colonial governments were allowed to operated with an amazingly high level of autonomy. The British Royal government did not impose high restrictions on any aspect of American life. Even the economic freedom afforded to them by protected markets with Britain had made the colonists the richest people in the world. Ironically, this high degree of independence was the thing that caused Americans to believe they were being subjugated. They were so free, that they were just out of reach of complete independence. Simply the principle of being ‘owned’ by another power in theory, though certainly not in practice, gave the Americans enough reason to fight for sovereignty.
America is a nation clearly economically and politically self sufficient. Many colonies were proprietary and functioning under their own government at the time anyways. Paine claims that America is self sufficient economically with good that would be in demand on any market in Europe, and the British strict trade agreement only hurts the opportunities for the American industry to grow. He recognizes the British as a parent who only hurt their child, not allowing it to reach full potential. America must also be independent to preserve itself.
Since the American continent is not covered in gold it does not attract many foreign invaders, its only threat is that British enemies are American enemies by association. When the British seek to defend themselves in Britain they do so at the price of protecting America. Paine clearly believes that the quid pro quo has been breached and there is not longer an even advantage for the people on each side of the American-Britain connection. A new country would meet only the needs of themselves, not be governed by a king thousands of miles away, who does not share the interest for the future of America. The British limitations on trade, and progress in America, has forced them to seek independence.
sean mcmahon
allies with england or being dominated by england stills means all of the enemys they have, have now become yours. it's an unrealistic way to rule(across the ocean). there can never be the strictness the english government requires if the guide lines are being set from a thousand miles away. england only protected them for taxes and for the new things of a new colonie.
America is better off without Great Britian because Britian caused more problems than good. It caused issues over trade with other countries, and made Britians enemies America's enemies. Trade was the major issue because America was not benefiting or getting money from goods. France played the largest role. England dominated over the U.S., and worried about their own interests and what would benefit them. America could survive without that power ruling over them, as time tells, and the colonies were not benefiting at all from this relationship.
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