What was the central argument Thomas Paine used in *Common Sense* to persuade colonists to support independence?

That the colonies had a stronger military than Great Britain.

That colonial taxes were the highest in the entire British Empire.

That it was absurd for a small island nation to govern a vast continent from afar.

That the French would provide immediate and unconditional support for a revolution.

Before Thomas Paine published *Common Sense*, what was a common attitude among many American colonists, even after fighting had begun?

A strong desire for immediate war with France.

A fear of declaring full independence from Britain.

A unanimous belief in creating a new monarchy in America.

A widespread plan to move all colonial settlements westward.