Answer :
The statement that best describes Thomas Paine's argument in this excerpt from Common Sense is:
C. He refutes the idea that America depends on Britain, using the opinion that America's trade has a secure future.
Paine argues that America's flourishing is not inherently tied to its connection with Britain. He refutes the notion that America's past prosperity was solely due to its relationship with Britain, emphasizing instead that America would have flourished regardless, perhaps even more so, without European interference. Paine supports this argument by highlighting America's trade, which he asserts is based on the necessities of life and therefore secure regardless of its connection to Britain.
C. He refutes the idea that America depends on Britain, using the opinion that America's trade has a secure future.
Paine argues that America's flourishing is not inherently tied to its connection with Britain. He refutes the notion that America's past prosperity was solely due to its relationship with Britain, emphasizing instead that America would have flourished regardless, perhaps even more so, without European interference. Paine supports this argument by highlighting America's trade, which he asserts is based on the necessities of life and therefore secure regardless of its connection to Britain.