Thomas Paine, "Common Sense":

A government of our own is our natural right: And when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he will become convinced, that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance.
Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.


What effect do you think these words had on the American colonists?

(1 point)
Responses

They most likely increased colonial acts of civil disobedience by confirming their validity
They most likely increased colonial acts of civil disobedience by confirming their validity

They most likely inspired fear in the Loyalists of the Patriots.
They most likely inspired fear in the Loyalists of the Patriots.

They most likely encouraged the Framers to meet and write the U.S. Constitution at the Continental Congress.
They most likely encouraged the Framers to meet and write the U.S. Constitution at the Continental Congress.

They most likely strengthened the colonists’ desire to act on their wish to separate from Britain.

1 answer

The correct response is: They most likely strengthened the colonists’ desire to act on their wish to separate from Britain.

Thomas Paine's argument in "Common Sense" promotes the idea of self-governance as a natural right, urging colonists to take control of their political future rather than rely on chance or the whims of British rule. This likely resonated strongly with many colonists, fueling their desire for independence from Britain.