Read the following excerpt from Thomas Paine’s introduction to Common Sense, and then answer the questions that follow.

The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind.... The laying a Country desolate with Fire and Sword, declaring War against the natural rights of all Mankind, and extirpating the Defenders thereof from the Face of the Earth, is the Concern of every Man to whom Nature hath given the Power of feeling.

Which of the following statements best describes the main idea of this passage?

A) America caused its own problems.

B) America’s cause was important to all people.

C) Britain should declare war on America and execute its leaders.