Question

why did thomas paine publish common sense?
to convince britain it could not govern the colonies well
to let foreign countries know the colonies were ready to fight britain
to convince colonists that the colonies should become independent
to force southern colonies to support northern ones in the coming war

Explanation:

Thomas Paine published Common Sense in 1776 to sway American colonists towards the idea of independence from British rule. It presented a clear - cut argument for separation, making complex political ideas accessible to the general public.

Answer:

to convince colonists that the colonies should become independent