Question
The following Free Response question has two parts.
Explain the impact that the English Bill of Rights and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had on colonist views of government.
Format your answer as follows:
1. Impact of the English Bill of Rights had on colonist views of government
2. Impact of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had on colonist views of government
(4 points)
0 / 50 Word Limit
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1. The English Bill of Rights had a significant impact on colonist views of government. It set a precedent for limited government and the protection of individual rights. Colonists saw this document as a model for their own fight against British tyranny. It emphasized the importance of due process and the rights of individuals to be free from arbitrary rule. This helped shape the colonists' belief in the need for a government that respected the rights of its citizens and had checks on its power.
2. Thomas Paine's Common Sense also had a profound impact on colonist views of government. Paine's pamphlet called for a complete break from British rule and argued for the importance of self-governance. It challenged the legitimacy of monarchy and advocated for a republic where power resided with the people. Colonists were inspired by Paine's ideas and it helped fuel the flame of revolution. Common Sense played a pivotal role in shifting colonists' views towards supporting independence and a more democratic form of government.
1. Impact of the English Bill of Rights on colonist views of government:
The English Bill of Rights was a document passed in 1689 that outlined the rights and liberties of the English people. It guaranteed freedoms such as the right to petition the government, the right to a fair trial, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment. This document had a significant impact on colonist views of government because it served as a model for what they believed their own government should be like. The colonists saw the English Bill of Rights as a representation of the rights they should have as English subjects and believed that these rights should also apply to the colonies. This document helped shape colonist views of government by providing a blueprint for the rights they desired and reinforced their belief in limited government and individual freedoms.
2. Impact of Thomas Paine's Common Sense on colonist views of government:
Thomas Paine's pamphlet, Common Sense, published in 1776, had a profound impact on colonist views of government. Paine argued for the complete separation of the American colonies from the British crown and challenged the legitimacy of monarchy and hereditary rule. He called for a democratic government based on representation and promoted the idea of a republic where the power was derived from the people. Common Sense resonated with the colonists, who were increasingly frustrated with British rule, and it helped to unite them in their desire for independence. Paine's ideas in Common Sense inspired many colonists to question the authority of the British monarchy and embrace the idea of self-governance. His pamphlet played a crucial role in shaping the colonists' views of government by advocating for democratic principles and fueling the movement for American independence.
To answer this question, you need to understand the English Bill of Rights and Thomas Paine's Common Sense and their impact on colonist views of government.
1. The English Bill of Rights was a legal document passed in 1689 that outlined the rights and liberties of individuals, limited the power of the monarchy, and established the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. Its impact on colonist views of government was significant. Colonists saw the English Bill of Rights as a model for a more democratic and participatory government, as it emphasized the idea that government should protect individual liberties and be accountable to the people. This document greatly influenced the colonists' belief in the importance of individual rights, representation, and limited government.
2. Thomas Paine's Common Sense, published in 1776, was a pamphlet that advocated for American independence from British rule. Its impact on colonist views of government was profound. Paine's persuasive arguments against monarchy and for a representative government resonated with many colonists, who were seeking greater control over their own affairs. Common Sense called for a complete break from British rule and inspired colonists to question the legitimacy of monarchical power. It played a crucial role in shifting popular opinion towards independence and ultimately influenced the colonists' desire for a democratic form of government.
To answer the question, you would need to elaborate on each of these impacts in your own words, providing specific examples or evidence to support your answer.