Paine first wrote about the relationship between society and government and how a government's efficacy could be judged only on its ability to protect the liberty and property of its citizens. He argued that the government laid out in the English constitution failed to do this. Next, Paine argued against the concept of monarchy and hereditary succession. He used the Bible to illustrate God's condemnation of monarchies. Then he argued that America no longer needed England's help, and that because England had attacked its colonies, it was no longer deserving of their loyalties. He wrote that American commerce would be better off without England's help. He proposed a government of representative democracy. Finally, he discussed America's military strength and potential. Once published "Common Sense" was amazingly popular. In 1776 it sold about 150,000 copies. George Washington ordered the pamphlet read to all his troops. According to Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood, "Common Sense" was "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era." LEARN MORE ABOUT US HISTORY
According to Paine, the three components of the British Constitution that needed to be improved upon were the monarchial tyranny and the aristocratic tyranny, both of which were the causes of the majority's downfall in Britain, and also those in the House of Commons, because the future and freedom of Britain depended on the virtue of these people.
Washington believed fhat the precedents he set must take the presidency powerful enough to function effectively in the national government,but at the same time these practises could not show any tendency toward monarchy or dictatorship
