Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in 1776, a fiery pamphlet which quickly became a revolutionary sensation. In it, Paine argued passionately for American independence from Britain, eloquently attacking the idea of monarchy and calling for a democratic republic, a political system that would be by and for the people.

Paine’s writing was simple, straightforward, and accessible to everyday Americans, and the pamphlet’s wide distribution helped promote the revolutionary cause. His arguments also had a profound impact on American thinking about government in the years following the Revolution, influencing both the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the Constitution.

Common Sense was a significant document in the history of America, helping to galvanize a nation around the values of democracy, independence, and self-determination that continue to define the American identity to this day. Paine reminded us that it’s the people, not the crown or the ruling elite, who have the power to shape their own destiny.