As colonial tensions in the British North American colonies rose, so did the heated debate over American Independence and Loyalty to the British crown. Read the following arguments and answer the questions that follow.
Charles Inglis – The True Interest of America Impartially Stated
- What were the major arguments against British rule presented by Thomas Paine in Common Sense?
- How did the pamphlet, Common Sense, address the problem of the aim of the war?
- What was the impact of Common Sense on American opinion toward British Rule?
- Briefly outline the main advantages Inglis points out as to why the North American colonies should remain under British rule.
- How does he respond to the point of view in support of a Declaration of Independence?
- In what way(s) does Inglis sympathize with the colonial attitude toward Independence?
- What does Inglis say would be the consequences of American Independence from England?
- Using evidence from the documents and your work on major Legislative acts by the British, which argument might colonists have found more persuasive, Paine’s or Inglis’s? Explain.
- Put yourself in the time period and analyze the arguments for and against independence. Quickly, write down as many arguments as you can think of for each side of the debate, Patriot vs. Loyalist.
- Where do you think you might stand on this issue if you were living in the colonies during this time period? Why?