Question

select the correct answer. what argument does the author counter in this excerpt from thomas paines common sense? i have heard it asserted by some, that as america has flourished under her former connection with great britain, the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect. nothing can be more fallacious than this kind of argument. we may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty. a. britain provides ample welfare to all her colonies, including america. b. the colonists do not benefit from their alliance with britain. c. britain does not provide adequate resources for the growing colonies in america. d. the colonies continue to depend on britain for protection and governance.

Explanation:

Thomas Paine argued for American independence from Britain. He believed America had flourished without Britain and that the colonies no longer needed British - provided welfare or protection. Option A goes against his argument as he did not think Britain provided ample welfare to the colonies. Option B is in line with his views that the colonies were not benefiting from the alliance. Option C is also consistent as he thought Britain was not providing sufficient resources for the colonies' growth. Option D is in line with his stance that America should be independent and not rely on Britain for protection and governance. So, we are looking for the option that he would counter - argue against, which is A.

Answer:

A. Britain provides ample welfare to all her colonies, including America.