The American Crisis · Question
How does The American Crisis develop the theme of Divine Providence and Justice?
Answer
The American Crisis by Thomas Paine develops Divine Providence and Justice across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Paine repeatedly invokes God's support for the American cause, asserting that divine providence will not abandon a people who have sought peace and justice, and that tyranny is inherently opposed to divine will.
Paine argues that God will favor the American cause because it is just, and that tyranny will ultimately be punished.
Paine asserts that God will not abandon a people who have sought peace, and that the British king cannot claim divine help; he calls on Americans to 'show your faith by your works.'
Paine asserts that God has parted America from Britain and that divine justice will punish British atrocities.
Evidence in the book
- The American Crisis
Paine argues that God will favor the American cause because it is just, and that tyranny will ultimately be punished.
- The Crisis I
Paine asserts that God will not abandon a people who have sought peace, and that the British king cannot claim divine help; he calls on Americans to 'show your faith by your works.'
- The Crisis V: To Gen. Sir William Howe
Paine asserts that God has parted America from Britain and that divine justice will punish British atrocities.
- The Crisis VI: To the Earl of Carlisle, General Clinton, and William Eden, Esq., British Commissioners at New York
Paine attributes American success to 'the interposition of Providence' rather than British benevolence.
- The Crisis VII: To the People of England
Paine suggests that heaven is not willing for Britain to succeed, implying divine justice against British presumption.
- The Crisis VIII: Address to the People of England
Paine argues that America has a clear claim to divine providence due to the justness of its cause, while Britain's suffering is self-inflicted and abandoned by nature.
- The Crisis X: On the King of England’s Speech
Providence is credited for America's prosperity and for permitting Britain's errors; justice is demanded against the king's false piety.
