Frederick Douglas and Thomas Paine Term Paper

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Frederick Douglass and Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine and Frederick Douglass are two men who inspired two very different revolutions, one of which led to the founding of a new nation, the other of which led to the freedom from slavery of an entire race of people. These two revolutions were nearly a century apart, yet the principles of each are the same. Both Paine and Douglass spoke with such eloquence and forethought that it is not surprising that their writings made such an impact on citizens as to inspire such profound change that the course of history was altered forever.

Each author spoke to a particular audience. Paine's work was addressing the American colonists who were under the rule of the British monarchy, and Douglass was addressing the issues of slavery within the new nation. Both issues, within their era, were topics of heated debates and passionate protests. Paine and Douglass knew their audience and were aware that their words would surely inspire controversy, however it is doubtful that either man was fully aware of the change that their words would create.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense was first published on January 10, 1776 during on onset of the American Revolutionary War. It was a timely piece because at the time colonists were divided about whether to risk war with Britain in order to gain independent rule. Paine's pamphlet detailed the logical reasons why the colonies should break away from English rule. Paine stated rather matter of fact that it was "ridiculous for an island to rule a continent" (Paine).

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He went on to state that America was not a "British nation," but rather was a composite of many European influences which made its whole (Paine). Acknowledging that Britain was the mother country of the colonies, Paine claimed that her actions against her children could only be considered brutal and horrendous, and moreover, by being tied to Britain would only involve the colonies in European wars that were not of their concern and which would surely interfere with international commerce (Paine). Furthermore, Paine stated the obvious, such as the fact that the distance between the colonies and the mother country made it impractical for British rule, for it could take a year or longer for news to travel to the Americas (Paine). He also creates an optimistic environment within the pamphlet but referring to the military potential of the colonies and how easy it would be for them to build a navy using the vast lumber available in America's forests (Paine).

Perhaps one of….....

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