Written by Thomas Paine in early 1776, it said that continued American loyalty to Britain would be absurd, and independence was the only rational thing for colonists to do.

The correct answer is the Common Sense essay.

Explanation:

The essay claimed that the American colonies did not obtain any compensation from their metropolis, whose sole purpose was to exploit their wealth, and that any sensible analysis would conclude with the need to obtain independence from British rule and establish their own republican government.

Common Sense