1776 - Common Sense

adapted from: http://revolution.mrdonn.org/commonsense.html

Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"

In spite of everything that had happened, in 1776, most colonists still wanted to remain a part of England. But many changed their minds after reading a short pamphlet, less than 50 pages, called Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine.

In Common Sense, Paine asked some really important questions, like ..

• • Why should a huge continent be tied to a little island thousands of miles away?

  • Why should colonists submit to laws that hurt their trade and industry?

  • Why should the colonists show loyalty to a king who oppresses them?

Paine argued that America should follow its own destiny, and that independence from Great Britain was the "common sense" thing to do. His pamphlet, Common Sense, sold over 100,000 copies, an enormous number for the times.

Thomas Paine was an immigrant. He had not been in the colonies for very long. But he had some powerful friends. Benjamin Franklin first met Paine in London. Franklin was impressed by Paine. It was Franklin who convinced Paine to come to America. Franklin wrote a letter of recommendation to help Paine find a job. George Washington was also impressed by Paine's ideas.

But Paine actually said nothing that the colonial leaders did not already know and expressed many times. The thing was, Paine said it so well, and positioned the solution as obvious, as "common sense". His clarity of thought helped to sway the opinions of many colonists, including some colonial leaders who had been dragging their feet.

Common sense was an instant success. The call for independence had become a roar. 

Click the link to watch a short video to learn more about Thomas Paine and "Common Sense" : LINK

 An Excerpt from Common Sense:

“Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation.  The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ‘Tis time to part.’  Even the distance at which the Almighty has placed England and America is a strong and natural proof that the authority of one over the other was never in the design of heaven.”

If you are interested in reading more "Common Sense" click here!