'Why is it valuable to know how a place has changed over the years? Will it help prepare us for changes to come?'

Yes.

Explanation:

It is valuable to know a place has changed because there is life in places and life is constantly changing and ever evolving. Understanding and acknowledging these changes allows us to further gather information on the impact those changes have and how we may benefit from them.

paine is arguying that they had tried everything before coming to the conclusion that they needed to fight for their freedom.

argument: "every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual."

claim 1: "our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us, that nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in kings more than repeated petitioning and nothing hath contributed more than that very measure to make the kings of europe absolute."

claim 2: "wherefore, since nothing but blows will do, for god’s sake, let us come to a final separation, and not leave the next generation to be cutting throats, under the violated unmeaning names of parent and child."