A Rugged Individualist

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer explains that rugged individualism can be defined as a belief that all individuals can succeed on their own with very little help from government. The writer notes that Herbert Hoover's administration was a proponent of rugged individualism possibly to the detriment of the country, as the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression took place during Hoover's presidency. The paper then demonstrates why Paine was a rugged individualist through examination of his writings, "Common Sense" and "American Crisis". The writer maintains that one can take the creating of the American Constitution as a call from a rugged individualist to separate man from government while bringing him into an interdependent relationship with government. The writer concludes that this type of involvement with government and rugged individualism is different than the Hoover Administration's definition of government and rugged individualism.

Outline:
Definition
Introduction
Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The rugged individualism that Paine was defining called for lack of government oppression not lack of government. The constant increase in taxes and rules of movement and trade were suffocating the Colonists to a point where they developed hate for government and in relation to getting English rule out of the Colonies they became rugged individualist. But when the Colonist talked of the government they would create it was an interdependent government and the rugged individualist fervor was not part of the Constitution."
"History shows that even before Paine's "Common Sense' pamphlet came out there were strong sentiments in blaming the British for the sufferings of the colonies. "Common Sense" sharpened this focus and placed direct responsibility onto King George III."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Marina, W. (1976). The American Revolution as a People's War. Independent.org. Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1485
• Hirsch, E.D., Kett, J. & Trefil, J. (2002). The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. "Declaration of Independence". (1998). The History Place. Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/decindep.htm
• Tabakian, J. (2007). History of American Culture Course Pack #3. Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://mysite.verizon.net/res6tznh/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/tabakianhistcoursepack3summer2007modi.pdf
• Tabakian, J. (2006). Organic Laws of America. Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://mysite.verizon.net/res6tznh/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/tabakianhistcoursepack3summer2007modi.pdf
• Conflict and Revolution. (1998). The History Place. Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/re

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