Question

1. What does Paine say are some of the "material injuries" the colonies had sustained due to their dependence on Great Britain? What are the strengths and weaknesses in his argument?


2. Was Paine right to say that "Europe and not England is the parent country of America"? Why should that concept be considered a factor for separation?


3. What interests could America better pursue if independent?


4. What does Paine say would guarantee American success? Why?


5. Why did he argue for a declaration of independence and for immediate action?

Answer 1

1. Some of the "material injuries" done to the colonists, according to Thomas Paine, due to their dependence on Great Britain are as follows:

1. The imposition of taxes remained without representation.
2. Boston massacre was ordered by the King of Great Britain.
3. An import embargo was placed on the colonists.

b. The strengths of Thomas Paine's argument include:

• The financial distress was occasioned by the imposition of taxes without gauging the ability of colonies to pay.
• Tax revenues were collected from the colonists to develop British towns, thereby robbing Peter to pay Paul.

c. Some of the weaknesses of his argument can be seen in the arguments of anti-independence advocates as follows:

• Great Britain offered the colonies international protection.
• Great Britain has assured the colonies of continued happiness.
• Great Britain has allowed the colonies to flourish.

2. Indeed, Paine was right to state that "Europe and not England is the parent country of America" because many colonists came from other parts of Europe.

However, this concept is not a favorable factor to be considered for separation from Great Britain but is valid in proving that Great Britain had not acted as the mother of America, who would have bent on ensuring her baby's progress.

3. The interests that America could better pursue with independence include human freedom and liberty and the extension of America's moral values to the rest of the world.

4. Paine argued that replacing England's government with a republican form of government would guarantee American success.  The reason is that a republican form of government does not support the excesses of the Monarchy.

5. Thomas Paine favored and argued for a declaration of independence by taking immediate action because he reasoned that Britain could not lightly let go under her Monarchical system of government that was accorded too many powers.

Who was Thomas Paine?

Thomas Paine was the English writer who used his Common Sense publications to galvanize the American Revolution and independence from Great Britain.

He also advocated for the abolition of slavery in America.

Learn more about Thomas Paine at https://brainly.com/question/939936