Use the excerpt to answer the question.
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.—Thomas Paine, Common Sense
What effect do you think these words had on the American colonists?
2 answers
These words likely had a significant effect on the American colonists as they were advocating for the idea of establishing their own government. The excerpt emphasizes the idea of self-governance as a natural right and highlights the importance of creating a constitution deliberately rather than leaving it to chance or external circumstances. This would have resonated with the colonists who were seeking autonomy and independence from British rule, providing them with a rationale and motivation to pursue the establishment of their own government.
Whittemore and his fellow committee-men also regarded with distrust any members of the Massachusetts assembly who might be sympathetic to similar objectives in the future.
33 answers