Pantheon

Republican Pantheon

Thomas Paine

Works

Common Sense

1776

{Debate: BBC Radio 4; In Our Time.

Podcast: Download to listen}

'SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; Whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; The former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections. The latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.'

The American Crisis

1776 - 83

"These are the times that try men's souls."

• The American Crisis: December 23, 1776

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, Jan. 13, 1777

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, April 19, 1777

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, Sept. 12, 1777

• The American Crisis: Lancaster, March 21, 1778

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, Oct. 20, 1778.

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 1778

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, March, 1780

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, Oct. 4, 1780

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, March 5, 1782

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia May 31, 1782

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, Oct. 29, 1782

• The American Crisis: Philadelphia, April 19, 1783

The American Crisis is a collection of articles written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolutionary War.The essays constitute Paine's ongoing support for an independent and self-governing America through the many severe crises of the Revolutionary War. General Washington found the first essay so inspiring, he ordered that it be read to the troops at Valley Forge.