Hello and welcome back my lovely readers to another of my school essays, let’s begin!
In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote a series of pamphlets entitled “Common Sense” which advocated for the independence of the American colonies from Great Britain. As a loyalist in 1778, one might have a critical view of Paine’s pamphlets.
From a loyalist perspective, Paine’s pamphlets were seen as radical and extreme. They argued for a complete separation from Great Britain, which was seen as a betrayal of the long-standing ties between the colonies and the mother country. Loyalists saw themselves as defenders of the British Empire and believed that the colonies were an integral part of that empire. Paine’s pamphlets, in contrast, questioned the very legitimacy of British rule and proposed a radical new vision for America’s future.
Furthermore, loyalists would have objected to Paine’s tone and language. He often used strong, emotional language to appeal to the passions of the American people. This was seen as manipulative and divisive, and it was feared that it would lead to violence and chaos. Loyalists believed that a more measured approach was needed to resolve the conflict between the colonies and Great Britain.
Finally, loyalists would have been concerned about the practical consequences of independence. They feared that without the protection of the British Empire, the American colonies would be vulnerable to attack and invasion from other European powers. They also worried about the economic consequences of breaking ties with Britain, which was the main trading partner of the colonies.
In summary, a loyalist in 1778 would have viewed Paine’s pamphlets as radical, divisive, and impractical. They would have seen themselves as defenders of the British Empire and believed that a more measured approach was needed to resolve the conflict between the colonies and Great Britain.
Thanks for reading this essay! I hope you enjoyed reading through or learned something new! I’ll be posting a few more soon so stay tuned and have a blessed rest of your day!
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