In January, 250 years ago, a pamphlet called Common Sense pointed out how citizens were being mistreated.
Many copies of this pamphlet were distributed and support for independence grew. Common Sense was published anonymously by Thomas Paine in January 1776, was a hugely influential pamphlet that argued for American independence from Great Britain, using clear, persuasive language to rally colonists to the cause of revolution by attacking monarchy and advocating for a democratic government. It became an instant bestseller, selling widely and being read aloud in public, and is considered a foundational document of the American Revolution, converting many undecided colonists to the idea of separation.
Key aspects of Common Sense:
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Purpose:
To persuade the common people of the Thirteen Colonies that independence from British rule was necessary and achievable.
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Style:
Written in plain, accessible language, unlike the complex political treatises of the time, making it understandable to a mass audience.
- Arguments:
- Attacked the institution of monarchy as an affront to God and a corrupt system.
- Argued that British rule was the source of America's problems.
- Presented a vision for an egalitarian, democratic government.
- Impact:
- An immediate sensation, selling over 150,000 copies in three months.
- It was read aloud to troops, including by George Washington, and became a touchstone for the revolutionary movement.
- It propelled public opinion toward independence, which had previously seemed unthinkable to many..
