Question

What Enlightenment ideas did Thomas Paine use to justify breaking from Britain in his 1776 pamphlet “Common Sense”?(1 point)
Responses

questioning authority
questioning authority

freedom from oppression
freedom from oppression

equality
equality

natural rights

Answer 1

In his 1776 pamphlet "Common Sense," Thomas Paine used the Enlightenment idea of **natural rights** to justify breaking from Britain. He argued that individuals are inherently entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that the British government was infringing upon these rights. Additionally, he emphasized **freedom from oppression** by criticizing the tyrannical rule of the monarchy. While all the options provided reflect Enlightenment ideals, the most direct justification in "Common Sense" aligns closely with the concepts of **natural rights** and **freedom from oppression**.