"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

 
"Common Sense" was a 50 page pamphlet writtern by Thomas Paine in 1776. Ok, you might be wondering why we mention this book: What special role does it have on the American Revolution? It was the first written material which challenged British government authority and the royal monarchy. It had a great impact on the colonies, because every one could read and understand it; even the commoners. This was because it was written in such a plain and direct language and relying on Biblical verses and philosophical ponderings. This book was the first one who openly asked for independence from Engand.

"We have power to begin the world all over again." -Thomas Paine

Click me! For a summary of "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine was born in England, but because of the advise of Benjamin Franklin he moved to America in 1774. He worked in a Philadelphia magazine the first year, but it was in 1776, a few months after the confrontation between militias and lobster backs in Lexington Green and in Concord, which are considered the first events of the American Revolutionary War; when Thomas Paine published "Common Sense". In his work he argued that instead of protesting against taxes colonists should claim total independence from Great Britain. This pamphlet gathered all his ideas about human liberty, he opposed slavery of any kind.

"These are the times to try men´s souls." -Thomas Paine

"Common Sense" made the still undecisive colonists ponder that they had an important issue to discuss in a public way. It even got to start debate between the colonists, but the article not only exposed problems but also offered solutions. For example, for the colonists who were disgusted  because of the tyranny they were governed by he proposed a Republican government. I imagine the courage he had to defy Parliament and the monarch is such a direct way, because of the tensions that had happened between the people living in the colonists and the two power previously mentioned. Going back to this 50 page pamphlet, shorter than most books available in the worldwide market today, made way and greatly influenced the writting of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed by the delegates of the Contintental Congress and other colonial delegates and committee members in July 4, 1776.