Although brief, Paine’s pamphlet captured the imagination of the colonists and excited them, some of those colonists being the writers of the Declaration of Independence. An example of a word found in both written works is “common.” The Declaration of Independence uses “common” when referring to “common kindred” and Common Sense uses “common” when discussing a “common cause,” “common period of life,” and “common interest”. Additionally, On African Slavery by Thomas Paine uses “common” when discussing a “common Lord” and “common Justice and Humanity”. Additionally, numerous phrasing similarities arise when the two written works condemn the King of Great Britain. For example, Common Sense explains that the “king is not to be trusted” and the Declaration includes a section on charges against the king and states that “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States”. Moreover, the two written works also share organizational similarities. For example, on pages one hundred eleven to one hundred twelve, Paine concludes Common Sense with four points, the fourth of which outlines the last four points of the Declaration of Independence using …show more content…
The events occurring on both a global and local scale greatly impacted the significance of Paine’s most famous work on the Declaration. Moreover, the wording, success, and influence of Common Sense displays the importance of the document on the Declaration of Independence. Paine’s most famous pamphlet was the first time someone had called for independence and supported their beliefs through writing. Furthermore, not only was Common Sense criticized by colonists two hundred and forty years ago, but continues to be denounced today. In January of 1776, America was ripe for an independence movement against an oppressive Britain, all the colonists needed was encouragement. Paine’s pamphlet furthered the emotions of the colonists and sparked their desire to revolt against Britain. Therefore, not only was Common Sense a pamphlet, but it was a catalyst for change and a