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[[image:Thomaspaine.jpeg|200px|thumb|Engraving of Thomas Paine]]

[[image:Thomaspaine.jpeg|200px|thumb|Engraving of Thomas Paine]]

'''Thomas Paine''' was a writer born on January 29, 1737 in Thetford, [[England]], whose works helped to spark the American [[Declaration of Independence]] in 1776. He supported the Revolution, although he believed it did not go far enough.  He briefly lived in the rebelling colonies before returning to Europe in time to take part in the [[French Revolution]].  

'''Thomas Paine''' (1737-1809) was a political writer born in Thetford, [[England]], whose came to America in 1774. His pamphlet "Common Sense" in 1776 was a major cause of the American decision to [[Declaration of Independence|declare independence]] in 1776. At a point when the war was going poorly General [[George Washington]] ordered that Paine’s inspirational "American Crisis" (1776) be read to his troops before the Battle of Trenton. Paine supported the Revolution, although he believed it did not go far enough.  He briefly lived in the rebelling colonies before returning to Europe in time to take part in the [[French Revolution]]. His later writings promoted Deism and were highly controversial

==Quotes==

==Quotes==

*"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."

* "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." from ''The Crisis'' (1776)

*"If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately."

* "These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." from ''The American Crisis‎'' (1776) 

*"That government is best which governs least."

*"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." from '' The American Crisis‎'' (1776) 

*"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

* "He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." (1795)</ref>Paine, "Dissertation on First Principles of Government," ''The Writings of Thomas Paine,'' ed. Moncure D. Conway, vol. 3, p. 277 (1895).</ref>

*"To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not."

*"To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not." (1792)<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=a5YIAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA7-PA12&dq=paine+%22any+people+are+not+fit+for+freedom%22&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=1923&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES  ''Rights of Man'' online]

His works include:

His works include:

* ''[[Common Sense]]'' - published in 1776, which challenged [[England|British]] authority over the colonies and spoke to the common people<ref>http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/index.htm</ref>

* ''[[Common Sense]]'' - published in 1776, which challenged [[England|British]] authority over the colonies and spoke to the common people<ref>http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/index.htm</ref>

* Paine, Thomas. ''The American Crisis'' (1777; 1819 edition) 196 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=OQ8j54UCyjAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:thomas+inauthor:paine&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES complete text online]

* Paine, Thomas. ''The American Crisis'' (1777; 1819 edition) 196 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=OQ8j54UCyjAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:thomas+inauthor:paine&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES complete text online]

* Paine, Thomas. ''Rights of Man, Common Sense and Other Political Writings'' ed. by Mark Philp - (1995), 510pp [http://www.questia.com/read/35524799?title=Rights%20of%20Man%2c%20Common%20Sense%2c%20and%20Other%20Political%20Writings online edition]  

* Paine, Thomas. ''Rights of Man, Common Sense and Other Political Writings'' ed. by Mark Philp - (1995), 510pp [http://www.questia.com/read/35524799?title=Rights%20of%20Man%2c%20Common%20Sense%2c%20and%20Other%20Political%20Writings online edition]  

   

   

==References==

==References==

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{{DEFAULTSORT: Paine, Thomas}}

[[Category: Founding Fathers]]

[[Category: Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:French Revolution]]

[[Category:French Revolution]]