Matrix of Excerpts from Common Sense

Instructions: Use the matrix below to record your interpretation of each excerpt displayed. You may restate each excerpt in any way you wish (written or visual), but keep your interpretations clean! Letter Excerpt from Common Sense What the Excerpt Means in Our Own Words

It says that he has heard that America has done very well under Brittans rein, but I have heard it asserted by some that as America hath America will do so much better without them. They need to learn to make some of flourished under her former connection with Great Britain these connections by themselves. the same connection is necessary toward her future happiness, and will always have the same effect. Nothing can be more fallacious than this kind of argument. We have boasted the protection of Great Britain without It says that we have been safe under the rein of Brittan. We havent been attacked by considering that her motive was interest, not attachment, anyone without the help of the British, but we need to learn to fight for ourselves in and that she did not protect us from our enemies on out case we get separated from Brittan. account, but from her enemies on her account It says that Brittan has been a parent to us, telling us what to do and the protecting But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more us. But if they were good parents then they wouldnt of tax us and make us do things shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their without our permission. young, nor do savages make war upon their families I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to It says that he thinks that we can make it without the help of Brittan, we can have a show a single advantage that this continent can reap, by connection to them but we cannot grow into being a free nation with having an being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge; attachment to Brittan. not a single advantage can be derived. It says that we are strong enough to take care of ourselves. We are not a small Small islands, not capable of defending themselves, are the nation, we are large and we can fight for ourselves, not with Brittans help. proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island. In no instance hath nature made the satellite larger than its primary planet. It says that if we are free, we are less likely to have wars against each other. It is our Nothing but independencecan keep the peace of the right to be able to do what we want to do. We have the right to have our own continentA government of our own is our natural right: government and have our own constitution. and when a man seriously reflect 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

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