Common Sense

            In "Common Sense" and "The Crisis" Thomas Paine expresses his idea about individual rights, the idea of revolution and what it means to be an American. John Locke had two major ideas about individual rights; human nature is potentially good, and mankind is capable of governing themselves. .
             Thomas Paine criticizes the governing of Americans by Great Britain in his writings. Here are some statements that show shared feelings by Locke and Paine.
             "We have boasted the protection of Great Britain without considering that her motive was interest not attachment; and that she did not protect us form our enemies on our account; but from her enemies on her own account, from those who had no quarrel with us on any other account, and who will always be our enemies on the same account. Let Britain waive her pretensions to the continent, or the continent throw off the dependence, and we should be at peace with France and Spain, were they at war with Britain. The miseries of Hanover's last war ought to warn us against connections." (Note: Hanover's last war - The Seven Years war involving Prussia and Austria at the beginning then involving all major European powers.) (Page 695, Text).
             "Your future connection with Britain, whom you can neither love nor honor, will be forced and unnatural, and, being formed only on the plan of present convenience, will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first." (Page 698, Text) .
             These quotes show that Thomas Paine feels that the Americans are not being treated fairly, shows that the connections between Great Britain and America can cause danger for the Americans by being pulled into war unnecessarily. The rights of the Americans are being negotiated by Great Britain for their own benefit and welfare. .
             Paine states here that Great Britain has not shown the parental protection or encouragement to America and Americans that would make one a mother country to another.