Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' - 250 Years of Unwavering Relevance
A quarter of a millennium ago, on January 10, 1776, Thomas Paine published "Common Sense", a pamphlet that dramatically altered the trajectory of history. Characterized as "nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense," Paine's words ignited a colonial fight for rights under royal rule into a globally significant revolution for liberty under representative government.
The timing couldn't have been more opportune. Just a year earlier, Paine's views would not have been taken seriously by the American colonists who had been fighting for their rights as British subjects since the Stamp Act Crisis of 1765. However, after Congress adopted militia forces besieging British troops in Boston following the Battles of Lexington and Concord as a Continental Army in 1775, it became clear that the stakes were much higher.
Congress declared its support for freedom as its birthright and sent an Olive Branch Petition to King George III, asking him to rein in Parliament. But the king refused to receive the petition, proclaiming the colonies in open and avowed rebellion, vowing to crush them with a massive army and navy, including legions of paid German mercenaries.
Paine's pamphlet changed the way Americans viewed government by depicting people as originally free and equal in nature, forming representative governments to better secure their liberty and happiness. He argued that monarchy had upended this natural order, leading to authoritarian rule and self-serving decrees. "The palaces of Kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of Paradise," Paine wrote.
In a time when absolutist regimes ruled most of the globe and threatened to engulf the rest, "Common Sense" called for popular governments with frequent elections to assure their fidelity to the public will. Asserting that monarchy had laid the world in blood and ashes, Paine wrote that "Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived."
The pamphlet's impact was immediate and profound. Almost overnight, the king replaced Parliament as the symbol and target of colonial grievance, and gaining independence under popular rule became the patriot aim. "Common Sense" became the bestselling pamphlet of its era, with over 100,000 copies sold within weeks of its publication.
It was read by public men, repeated in clubs, spouted in schools, and even delivered from the pulpit instead of a sermon. Noting that the pamphlet "is working a powerful change in the minds of many men," George Washington had it read aloud to the troops besieging Boston.
Paine's soaring words gave voice to an emerging spirit that lifted colonial resistance to imperial tax policy into a global revolution for liberty under law. As he proclaimed, "The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind." The pamphlet eloquently depicted liberty and security as the proper end of government, outlining a democratic one calculated to advance individual happiness with the least national expense.
Life, Liberty and Happiness stood as founding ideals in "Common Sense", much like they would in the Declaration of Independence six months later. Paine stated that "The will of the king (or a man) is as much the law of the land in Britain as in France." And then he turned to the fonts available on his printing press, writing: "In America the law is King."
Today, 250 years after its publication, "Common Sense" remains a quintessentially American document that became foundational for the ideals of the emerging republic. It denounced authoritarianism in all its forms, called for radically representative government, and pointed toward political equality for all.
To celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, one of the best ways to do so is by re-reading "Common Sense".
A quarter of a millennium ago, on January 10, 1776, Thomas Paine published "Common Sense", a pamphlet that dramatically altered the trajectory of history. Characterized as "nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense," Paine's words ignited a colonial fight for rights under royal rule into a globally significant revolution for liberty under representative government.
The timing couldn't have been more opportune. Just a year earlier, Paine's views would not have been taken seriously by the American colonists who had been fighting for their rights as British subjects since the Stamp Act Crisis of 1765. However, after Congress adopted militia forces besieging British troops in Boston following the Battles of Lexington and Concord as a Continental Army in 1775, it became clear that the stakes were much higher.
Congress declared its support for freedom as its birthright and sent an Olive Branch Petition to King George III, asking him to rein in Parliament. But the king refused to receive the petition, proclaiming the colonies in open and avowed rebellion, vowing to crush them with a massive army and navy, including legions of paid German mercenaries.
Paine's pamphlet changed the way Americans viewed government by depicting people as originally free and equal in nature, forming representative governments to better secure their liberty and happiness. He argued that monarchy had upended this natural order, leading to authoritarian rule and self-serving decrees. "The palaces of Kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of Paradise," Paine wrote.
In a time when absolutist regimes ruled most of the globe and threatened to engulf the rest, "Common Sense" called for popular governments with frequent elections to assure their fidelity to the public will. Asserting that monarchy had laid the world in blood and ashes, Paine wrote that "Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived."
The pamphlet's impact was immediate and profound. Almost overnight, the king replaced Parliament as the symbol and target of colonial grievance, and gaining independence under popular rule became the patriot aim. "Common Sense" became the bestselling pamphlet of its era, with over 100,000 copies sold within weeks of its publication.
It was read by public men, repeated in clubs, spouted in schools, and even delivered from the pulpit instead of a sermon. Noting that the pamphlet "is working a powerful change in the minds of many men," George Washington had it read aloud to the troops besieging Boston.
Paine's soaring words gave voice to an emerging spirit that lifted colonial resistance to imperial tax policy into a global revolution for liberty under law. As he proclaimed, "The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind." The pamphlet eloquently depicted liberty and security as the proper end of government, outlining a democratic one calculated to advance individual happiness with the least national expense.
Life, Liberty and Happiness stood as founding ideals in "Common Sense", much like they would in the Declaration of Independence six months later. Paine stated that "The will of the king (or a man) is as much the law of the land in Britain as in France." And then he turned to the fonts available on his printing press, writing: "In America the law is King."
Today, 250 years after its publication, "Common Sense" remains a quintessentially American document that became foundational for the ideals of the emerging republic. It denounced authoritarianism in all its forms, called for radically representative government, and pointed toward political equality for all.
To celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, one of the best ways to do so is by re-reading "Common Sense".
I mean can you even believe Paine's words still hold up like that? It's crazy how some things never change. The idea that people are born free and equal, it's not just a pipe dream anymore, it's the foundation of our society. And can we talk about how revolutionary his perspective was back in 1776? I mean, he's basically saying that kings don't get to make rules and that the government should be of the people, by the people. That sounds like something out of a modern democracy novel not an old pamphlet. 
. We can all learn from Paine's courage & conviction, and remember that even one voice (or pamphlet) can change the world 
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. So let's all take a page out of 'Common Sense' and strive for that kind of government & society, where everyone has an equal say & chance to thrive 
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still relevant today 
. And it's all thanks to Thomas Paine's radical ideas and his willingness to speak truth to power 
. And can we talk about how his words gave voice to a global revolution for liberty under law? 
It's crazy to think that something written by just one guy could have such a profound impact on human history 
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. And what's up with all the ads that keep popping up when you try to read a page? It's like they're trying to sell you a pamphlet instead of reading one 
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. Can't they at least use some kind of font adjustment or something? 
. I mean, sure, other platforms might have their perks but Reddit's community and culture are unbeatable. It's like a big ol' family of weirdos who all share the same interests 
. And let's be real, the anonymity is the best part - you can just be yourself without all the drama that comes with social media 
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. I'd say it's like a warning shot across the bow for any leader who thinks they can disregard the will of their citizens and just do what they want.
. We need more voices like Paine's, speaking truth to power and holding our leaders accountable for doing what's right by the people. That's the real meaning of "Common Sense", in my book 
what's up with these old pamphlets being so relevant after 250 years? I mean, can't we just read some Twitter threads on revolution instead? But seriously, Thomas Paine's writing still resonates today because it was like the ultimate "anti-authority" vibe back then... people needed a voice that wasn't coming from the king or nobles. The way he described freedom and equality as human nature is pretty profound 
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. i can see how his idea of liberty and equality would be super inspiring to people back then. still kinda weird how it all went down though... like, what's with the whole german mercenaries thing? 
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) and he wasn't exactly known for his diplomatic skills either... but hey, who needs facts when you've got a catchy phrase like "the will of the king is as much the law of the land"? 