Question

Thomas Paine was a political writer who fervently supported the American Revolution. In this excerpt from his popular work Common Sense, Paine uses an analogy to refute a common Loyalist claim.

The first king of England, of the present line (William the Conqueror) was a Frenchman, and half the peers of England are descendants from the same country; wherefore, by the same method of reasoning, England ought to be governed by France.

Which claim has Paine refuted?

A.
The American colonies should join Britain in any future war against France because the colonists are of English descent.
B.
Britain should govern the American colonies because the colonists are of English descent.
C.
France should govern the American colonies instead of Britain because the British king is a descendant of a Frenchman.
D.
The American colonies should not trade with France because of the ongoing war between France and Britain.

Answer 1

I’ve re-read the question and decided to rewrite my previous response.

He is trying to refute (basically, to argue against) a Loyalist argument. Remember that the Loyalists were in favor of America staying under British rule. So Paine is trying to argue against America staying under British rule.

Now, let’s look at the argument Paine makes here. He points out that many British people are descended from The French, but that doesn’t mean France has to rule Britain. So he’s making this point to refute the Loyalists.

Finally, the question is asking about the Loyalist argument that Paine is refuting. So thinking the opposite way, how would a Loyalist argue in favor of Britain ruling the colonies?