Question

Compare and contrast Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence with Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense.” Which had the greater effect on revolutionary America? Are these documents still effective today?

Answer 1

Both Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence with Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense were very similar in all senses, except the tone. While Jefferson's document was written in a political sense, Paine's document was written to the common inviting them to join the struggle for independence. Both the documents pointed out the oppression of the British Empire on people in the colonies. Both the documents insisted on the importance of people as the important decision makers in the country. Although both the documents didn't explicitly brought out the importance of God and religion, they both addressed a higher being and enlightened minds. Jefferson's document called for the unity of the colonies, especially the leaders against the British empire, while Paine's document called the common people to support the cause of the Declaration of Independence. In my opinion, Common Sense made the greatest impact as it was written in the common man's language and both the documents are still valid in terms of bringing out the importance of the ruled and not the rulers, thus insisting on the democratic aspects of the country. They both upheld the importance of individual rights over the monarchs or the rulers.