Abstract
In this essay, the writer supports the claim that some intelligent people lack common sense. Several examples are provided. The conclusion attempts to provide brief explanations for the lack.

From the Paper
"Mingroni reports that a fairly common definition of intelligence is that it constitutes the ability to learn to understand and to deal with novel even challenging situations in an effective manner. In this same vein Hogan discusses intelligence as the ability to apply knowledge so as to manipulate one's environment and think abstractly. Psychologists often measure intelligence using an IQ test and report back scores to people telling them just where they stand higher or lower in intelligence relative to the ..."

Tags:intelligence, common sense

Abstract
This paper details the main themes in Paine's renowned pamphlet "Common Sense", written and published in 1776. It discusses Paine's main goal, which was simply to convince the people of America that a revolution was needed, which would result in the establishment of an independent nation. Paine's publication was generally met with considerable interest by its audience and more than a little ill-humor by academics who considered his writing style to fall far short of the neoclassical ideal. It examines the main themes in "Common Sense" as well as the author's unique method of appealing directly to the highest sentiments of the most common people and the simplest convictions of the most literate. It also discusses the views of various critics who found and continue to find fault with the content and style of writing in Paine's work.

From the Paper
"The original publication of Thomas Paine's work was generally met with considerable interest by its audience, and more than a little ill-humor by academics who considered his writing style to fall far short of the neoclassical ideal. One contemporary said that his style was"so coarse, that you would think he meant to degrade the language as much as the government." Even a relatively sympathetic colonial magazine, The Monthly Review, recorded in 1791 that Paine was "desultory, uncouth, and inelegant. His wit is coarse, and sometimes disgraced by wretched puns, and his language, though energetic, is awkward, ungrammatical, and often debased by vulgar phraseology."

Tags:revolution, war, style

Abstract
This paper argues against a belief held by many historians that Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was the cause of the American Revolution. Since the war was well underway when Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense", the author proposes that the book served to unite the American people towards independence from Britain, giving them a reason for the war they were already fighting.

From the Paper
"Historians debate the fundamental cause of the Revolutionary War, and many attribute the entire cause to the publication of Common Sense. The actions of the British during the months before the Declaration of Independence, however, had already caused the Americans to realize the need to fight. In 1766 Britain repealed the controversial Stamp Act under the pressure of colonial riots, and this action demonstrated to the colonists that she could not successfully levy a tax on the colonies. Britain still needed the money from the tax, and in 1767 Chancellor Townshend passed a Revenue Act which proposed a tax on lead, glass, tea, and other smaller items. The colonists again reacted violently, and all the taxes were repealed except the tax on tea. Britain refused to repeal the tea tax. This led to the rebellion that is commonly called the "Boston Tea Party," where colonists in Boston dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor.
"Parliament realized the colonial rebellion, particularly in Boston, was now an issue that could no longer be ignored. They proceeded to pass a series of four acts which the colonists labeled the "Intolerable Acts." These acts were aimed at punishing Boston for the destruction caused by the Boston Tea Party, but the other colonies took notice. It was becoming all too clear to the colonies that the original, self-governing charter of Massachusetts was virtually no longer in existence, and they feared this was the way they all were to be treated in the future. The colonies each began small congresses and were arming themselves. In April of 1775, the Royal General Gage received the orders to find and take the stores of the militia. He marched on Lexington and Concord and proceeded to take the arms that were there. To his surprise, a band of minute men soldiers, the common colonists, met him with strong resistance. The British were beaten back, and the American people showed Great Britain that they were willing to fight for their rights. This outbreak was the true start of the American Revolutionary War."

Tags:independence colonists, american independence, american revolution, boston tea party, intolerable acts

Abstract
Th is paper reviews Thomas Paine's "Common Sense", which denounced the right of the British government and royal monarchy to rule over America. The paper relates that in "Common Sense", Paine discussed the reasons for the origin of government, why a monarchy's rule is senseless, and, furthermore, called for America's independence from Great Britain. The paper further relates that all who heard Paine's message called out for revolution. According to the paper, although Paine's discussions of revolution were not widely accepted in Europe, Congress listened to the cries of their fellow colonists and declared independence from the mother country.

From the Paper
"In 1764 the British Parliament issued the Sugar Act which increased taxes on goods that were shipped to the American colonies that were not of British origin (Timeline). This was the first law of many designed for the British Royal Crown to profiteer from the resources of the colonies. A societal unrest formed among the colonists as Parliament continued to restrict trade practices and raise taxes. Eventually unrest turned to violence as tensions grew between the Americans and the British soldiers who occupied New England. Even though the situation seemed dire Congress was not ready to completely remove itself from British rule."

Tags:colonists, taxes, British, royalty, independence

Abstract
This paper takes a look at 'Common Sense', a document by Thomas Paine and compares it to the thinking and action of George Washington.
The paper argues that Paine's 'Common Sense' was not practical, whereas Washington's view of government was necessary to create a united nation that could do business with the world, and also keep popular forces under enough control so that true freedom of speech could be enjoyed by all, not simply the democratic majority.

From the Paper
"Paine wrote his document in 1776, during the first flush of American enthusiasm over war against England, and during one of the most sustained periods of rage against the increasingly prohibitive British system of taxation upon the colonies. Washington, however, saw the American colonialists as potentially overmatched, especially as the war drew on in the years afterwards. Of his minutemen, in comparison to the more systematically trained British soldiers, Washington wrote: "Place them behind a parapet, a breastwork, stone wall, or anything that will afford them shelter, and, from their knowledge of a firelock, they will give a good account of the enemy, but I am as well convinced...they will not stand up at a plain." (Morgan, 1982, p.42) This is why Washington deployed guerrilla tactics when fighting the better-trained English army, who also outnumbered the colonists."

Tags:patriot, American, war, independant, Britain, France

Abstract
This paper examines how Thomas Paine, in his treatise "Common Sense", argues persuasively that it is only common sense for the American colonists to rebel and to fight for freedom from England. It discusses how he acknowledges that no matter what choice the colonists make, they will face many difficulties. It analyzes some of the points put forward in his argument such as that England is so far from the colonies and has so little real knowledge of them and therefore cannot rule the colonies intelligently.

From the Paper
"Reflecting the philosophies of John Locke and others who argued for minimalist governments, Paine sees in the colonies? struggles the struggles of people all over the world. He says, ?The cause of America is, in a great measure, the cause of all mankind.? We hear in this phrase hints of what will come in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal" - not that the colonists have some special right to freedom and independence above other peoples of the world, but that the right to live freely in a representative government is basic to living in organized society. He lays out the many abuses of power England has committed against the colonists as the main theme throughout his treatise."

Tags:england, colonies, rule, freedom

Abstract
This paper explains the reasons Thomas Paine had for writing "Common Sense", the focus of the pamphlet and why it was so controversial.

From the Paper
"Thomas Paine in 1776 wrote the explosive pamphlet that was meant to offend British imperialists and to quash any hopes of reconciliation with American colonies. This documents reflects the thoughts and views on a person who is seriously concerned about the future of America and wants to convince the American revolutionaries of the righteousness of their cause. On the eve of the American Revolution, many people must have wondered if they did the right thing by throwing the British out. Was independence really worth it? Would survival now be difficult-especially without the aid of British wealth and experience? These questions must have plagued the minds of many who quietly watched the birth of a new country- a country that was destined to be bigger and more powerful than every other in the world."

Tags:british, american, revolution, monarchy, colonies, independent, democtatically, elected

Abstract
This paper examines Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "Common Sense", and discusses the theme of hereditary monarchy. The author analyzes Paine's attack on hereditary monarchy and the reasons his arguments were so compelling.

Abstract
This paper is a response to Thomas Paine's Common Sense. It shows three in depth points on how he successfully persuaded Americans of his time to rebel against England and take action in the revolutionary cause.

From the Paper
Paine used many effective arguments to persuade his audience to act on the immense task at hand of the rebellion against the corrupt, unjust, and deleterious ways of English rule. He expressed three major arguments to convince his fellow Americans to take action against monarchy. He pointed out that any enemy of England became an enemy of America's, how the English monarchy was crooked, and that England only protected the colonists for its own interests. Through Common Sense, Paine attempted to give his readers a sense of what was really going on in the world, because many people were ignorant during those troubled times as to how England was merely a holdback from what America could potentially become, "I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to shew, a single advantage that this continent can reap, by being connected with Great Britain not a single advantage is derived" (89).

Tags:american, britain, england, great, monarchy, revolution, states, united

Abstract
This paper introduces and analyzes the book "Common Sense," by Thomas Paine. Specifically it discusses whether British Imperial policies were responsible for the coming of the American Revolution. It examines how tariffs and taxes and the inability to trade products with countries in Europe other than England were certainly some compelling reasons to break ties with the mother country and form a own nation but they were not the only reasons Americans chose revolt. It shows how Paine's writing clearly indicates that the American public felt the English government and king were tyrannizing them.

From the Paper
"Perhaps Paine's most compelling argument is one aimed toward those who wanted to reconcile with England because of their defense capabilities, which were much greater than the colonial defenses. "Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us, is of all others the most improper to defend us" (Paine 40). True, a country that wants to control her child will only defend them so far their main goal would be to subdue and subjugate them. Clearly, the society in America had grown and prospered until it was time to break away from the chains of colonial rule. Britain's Imperialistic controls on trade, politics, and taxes all led to revolution and revolt in the colonies. In today's language, the people were "mad as hell and not going to take anymore.""

Tags:revolt, america, england, trade, taxes