Common SenseWhen Thomas Paine first anonymously published his series of pamphlets titles Common Sense they became an overnight success. First released in 1776 at the height of the American Revolution the treatise denounced British rule and is thought to have been so popular as to have influenced the path of the revolution itself. In the words of Historian Gordon S. Wood Common Sense was, "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era." |
Contents
| 4 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession | 18 |
Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs | 34 |
Of the Present Ability of America with Some Miscellaneous Reflexions | 62 |
Appendix | 81 |
Endnotes | 96 |
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Common terms and phrases
able admitted America answer appear argument arms authority body Britain called colony commerce common Congress constitution continent continental convenient crown debt dependance distinctions doctrine effected enemy England English equal Europe event force foreign form of government former give given hands happened hath hereditary honors increase independance interest judge king land least leave less liberty lives LORD mankind manner matter means method millions monarchy nature navy necessary necessity never offer oppression origin ourselves peace persons posterity prejudice present principles proper protect province reason reconciliation remains ruin SAMUEL secure separation ships succession suffer sufficient suppose thing thought thousand trade true trust UNTO virtue Wherefore whole wise worth