Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

Thomas Paine a fervent supporter of the revolution in Britain and America was already famous for common sense, therefore when Edmund Burke published his ideas about the Revolution in France he directly responded back. The two authors wrote for different people, Burke was more focused on reaching the rich audience while Mr. Paine wrote for the poor and uneducated people, which made him sell a lot more books.

Thomas Paine believed that, it could not be any men or generation that controlled the life of their precedents. Contrary to Edmund Burke, this author thought that the idea of controlling the life of others beyond the grave is a tyranny and abuse. Mr. Paine had nothing against having a king over a nation if he was chosen by the people, but he could not accept the fact that a king could choose his successor. (P1373) Mr. Paine pointed that the author Burke was unaware of the reasons of the Revolution of France. He said: “It was not against Louis XVI, but against the despotic principles of the government, that the Nation revolted.” (P1374) Based on my reading on 18th century France, I agree with the writer when he said that there was an ongoing hereditary despotism that had to be stopped by the revolution. Paine emphasized the causes of the revolution: the declaration of the right of the man and the difference between persons and principles. (1376). Just like Mary Wollstonecraft, Paine urged Burke to stop letting his imagination play tricks on him, that he must tell the truth to his readers, that he is writing about history not a play.

Paine wrote that all men are born equal and remain equal, that only the gender differentiated man, that this declaration of human equality being born in the modern world is the oldest doctrine of all since it came from God. Mary Wollstonecraft and Paine both agreed that people should help and treat each other with respect, they also agreed that because of the impoverishment by taxes and the abuse, the Revolution and the construction of a new government were necessary. Paine conclude by saying: “What we now see in the world, form the Revolutions of America and France, are a renovation of the natural order of things, a system of principles as universal as truth and the existence of man, and combining moral with political happiness and national prosperity.” (P1379)
This is another statement that he had in common with Wollstonecraft, and for me living in the USA make me agree with them 100%. They saw the future ahead of time !!!!