Question

We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty. But even this is admitting more than is true; for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken any notice of her. The commerce by which she hath enriched herself are the necessaries of life, and will always have a market while eating is the custom of Europe.
—Common Sense, Thomas Paine, 1776

Not everyone in the colonies supported the idea of a revolution against England. In this passage, Thomas Paine is refuting which argument against having a revolution?
A.
The colonies could not survive without British support.
B.
The colonies do not have the military training to beat Britain.
C.
The colonies could not protect themselves from France without British troops.
D.
The colonies could not trade with France because they are a part of Britain.

Answer 1

In the passage, Thomas Paine is refuting the argument that "the colonies could not survive without British support." He asserts that America would have thrived even without European powers recognizing her, indicating that she is capable of self-sufficiency and prosperity, which directly addresses concerns about dependence on Britain. Therefore, the correct answer is:

A. The colonies could not survive without British support.