Thomas Paine

3 Pages 727 Words

The Writings of Thomas Paine were crucial to the execution and success of the American Revolution. In the pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine defines the American Revolution. He speaks of man’s natural right to govern themselves and King George’s actions not protecting but suppressing these rights. This type of talk was controversial to Congress who at this point was trying to patch relations with England rather than start a Revolution. Congress did not believe that the colonies could assemble a sufficient army to defeat the British. These reservations did not last very long though. Widespread support among citizens made Revolution a reality (Foerster, 189).
Paine contributed to the Revolution in two ways. First and foremost his pamphlet Common Sense challenged Americans to stand up and fight for independence. In this essay Paine wrote of the natural right of man to govern themselves instead of living under control of George III. Paine spoke out boldly against George III, more so than anyone before him. Paine states that not only George III was corrupt but also the entire institution of monarchy was inherently evil. He said that, “a government of our own is our natural right. O ye that love mankind, ye that dare oppose not only tyranny but the tyrant stand forth”(Garraty 118). This call to arms spread through the country like wildfire. The talk of revolution was on the tongues of almost all of the colonists. After the release of this pamphlet the mood of the great debate changed drastically. The continental Congress began to speak and act more deliberately. In the month of March, Congress turned American Privateers agai!
nst the British. Two months later, Congress encouraged states to set up their own government and Constitution. All of these things were sparked by Paine’s, Common Sense.
Paine’s second great contribution to the revolution was the “American Crisis.” With these letters, Paine chall...