The Articles of Confederation: A Reaction to Thomas Paine's Common Sense

In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet explaining in great detail how the American colonists were being abused by imperialist England in their present state of dependence. The pamphlet, Common Sense, was intended to provide a rational basis for inciting Americans to declare their independence from England. With America’s Declaration of Independence occurring six months later, the Revolutionary war showed Americans how necessary it was to have a “league of friendship” among the states for the purpose of the common good. However, Paine had clearly noted the flaws of an overbearing central government, as in the case of England, so the states were weary to approve of a pact that would diminish the power of their local governments. As a direct result of the caution inflamed by Common Sense, the thirteen states eventually approved the Articles of Confederation in 1781—a national constitution with a weak federal government, purposefully designed to avoid the tyranny once experienced under British rule.