# Revolution and the Right to Resist Oppression in Essays

> Theme guide for Essays by Thomas Paine.

Paine justifies revolution as a legitimate response to tyranny and oppression, asserting that the people have an undoubted right to alter or abolish any government that violates their natural rights, as seen in the American and French Revolutions.

## Where it surfaces

- [Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-monarchy-and-hereditary-succession): By condemning monarchy as oppressive and illegitimate, Paine implicitly justifies the American colonies' right to resist and overthrow British rule.
- [Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/thoughts-on-the-present-state-of-american-affairs): Paine calls for resistance against British tyranny, stating that injuries from Britain cannot be forgiven and that the people must stand forth against tyranny.
- [The Republican Proclamation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/the-republican-proclamation): The text asserts that the reciprocal obligation between king and people is dissolved due to the king's treason, justifying the nation's right to withdraw obedience and establish a republic.
- [Royalty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/royalty): Implies the right to abolish monarchy and resist tyranny, as done by the French Convention.
- [Declaration of Rights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/declaration-of-rights): The text declares that men united in society should have legal means of resisting oppression, and that a people always possesses the right to reform and alter its Constitution.
- [The Decline and Fall of the English System of Finance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/the-decline-and-fall-of-the-english-system-of-finance): Paine frames his exposure of the English system as an act of justice and retaliation against English depredations, implicitly justifying resistance to oppressive financial systems.
- [Editor’s Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction): The Babouvist conspiracy and Paine's warnings about property qualifications reflect revolutionary discontent and resistance.
- [Agrarian Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/agrarian-justice): Paine links the revolution in government to a necessary revolution in civilization, arguing that a just system of property will make the revolution irresistible to all nations.
- [Means by Which the Fund Is to Be Created](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/means-by-which-the-fund-is-to-be-created): Paine argues that a revolution in civilization is necessary to complement the political revolution, and that justice, not charity, must be the foundation of the new social order.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/themes/revolution_and_the_right_to_resist_oppression
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/themes