Common Sense

First page of Common Sense

Common Sense was a pamphlet written and published (anonymously) by Thomas Paine in January of 1776. It denounced British rule over the thirteen colonies. The pamphlet was written in a language that spoke to the common man, and was immensely popular. It was strongly influential in fostering the desire to be independent from the British monarchy.

Common Sense achieved a feat accomplished by no other work except the Bible: sales of Common Sense totaled half of the number of people who could read in the American colonies. This work, above all others, created an American identity among colonists.

External Links

Online Copy of Common Sense