Thomas Paine and the Power of a Pamphlet

Thomas Paine was an English writer who came to Philadelphia in 1774. He wrote a short pamphlet called Common Sense. It was published on January 10, 1776. The pamphlet said that the American colonies should be independent from Britain. People read it in taverns and meeting halls. It sold about 120,000 copies in three months and reached many colonists.

Paine used clear language so many ordinary people could understand the ideas. His words helped change public opinion and made independence a stronger idea. Later he wrote other papers, like The American Crisis, to support the soldiers and the revolution. Common Sense was printed in Philadelphia and read across the thirteen colonies.