1.+Under+what+conditions+are+people+justified+in+revolting+against+their+government?+(MS)



=What is a Revolution?= The definition of a revolution is "an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed" ([|dictionary.com]). Now with this definition in mind, let us go back to the American Revolution. During the American Revolution, the colonists had a major goal to obtain their basic rights of Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness from the oppressive British "tyranny." King George III's neglect of the colonies and the excessive imposing of taxes were a major cause for the revolution. More specifically, Kin George made the colonists lower than the loyal subjects that they originally thought of themselves to be. Colonists were not given the equal privileges and rights when it came to the trial by jury and taxation. To top that off, the colonists had absolutely no physical representation in the Parliament and were neglected in voting. The "virtual representation" that the British claimed that they were giving to the colonists did not fulfill the desires of the colonists. But ultimately, it was due to the King's unjustifiable action of seizing the rights of the colonists to self-government in America after it had been going on for years, that enraged the colonists to the point where they decided to go against the King and his tyrannical governing. Thus the American Revolution was a revolution for the colonists to break free from the oppressive grasps of King George III and a chance for them to establish a self-government once and for all.

=//Common Sense// and Society VS. Government= In Thomas Paine's //Common Sense//, Paine goes over the terms of "society" and "government" and goes over the difference between the two. Paine states that "Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices." This illustrates society in a positive connotation, while government in a negative one. Society is a factor that can be transformed and affected by the people of a region, and so is government. However, it is the good will of the people who want change for the public good and not merely to fulfill their own selfish desires that set up society. While a government is controlled and most of the time altered by self-centered thirst for power or the greed of an individual, in this case, that being King George III. This causes government to be corrupt for it is led by a unscrupulous leader.This type of government will only bring harm and restraint to the free people who merely wish to acquire their primary rights of Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness within society. Thus, it can concluded that the ideal role of a government is to protect its people and make sure to provide them with the three essential rights that they deserve. If a government is unsuccessful in this matter, then it is right for the people to stir up a revolution and restore the upright government along with its principles. A revolution can thus be justified when the government fails to carry out its necessary role in society and the people thus take charge to make a more efficient government.

=Is The American Revolution Justified?= Now, Thomas Paine wrote the //Common Sense// in order to encourage the people of America to seek their independence from the absolute tyranny of Great Britain. The explanation that he gives on "society" is evidently to state that bringing change to society is justified if it is for the good will of the people and country, in this case, America. The definition of "government" that he gives in the pamphlet describes the corrupt British authority and its oppressive ways. Paine proclaims that the British government was not successful in protecting the people of America and their fundamental rights. Thereby, Paine states that revolting against such a unprincipled government is legitimate and therefore verifies the American Revolution.