The Common Sense

The Common Sense cites the evils of monarchy, accuses the British government of inflicting economic and social injustices upon the colonies, and points to the absurdity of an island attempting to rule a continent. Credited by George Washington as having changed the minds of many of his countrymen, the document sold over 500,000 copies within a few months.
Today, 'The Common Sense' remains a landmark document in the struggle for freedom, distinguished not only by Paine's ideas but also by its clear and passionate presentation. Designed to ignite public opinion against autocratic rule, the pamphlet offered a careful balance between imagination and judgment, and appropriate language and expression to fit the subject. It immediately found a receptive audience, heartened Washington's despondent army, and foreshadowed much of the phrasing and substance of the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was born in Thetford, England, and was brought to America by Benjamin Franklin two years before the American Revolution. An activist, philosopher, and revolutionary, Paine went on to write the two most influential works encouraging the revolution: Common Sense and the pamphlet series The American Crisis.
Following America’s independence from England, Paine moved to France in 1790, where he became a key figure in the French Revolution, writing another pro-revolutionary work, Rights of Man. In addition to his political works, Paine also wrote the deist pamphlet The Age of Reason, a challenge to both the Bible and organized religion as a whole. Unlike his other works, The Age of Reason was poorly received and led to his ostracism by the community at large. Though Paine is now considered a great figure in American history, only six people attended his funeral.