Common Sense

    Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that was published in 1776. It was one of the most popular publications in the American Colonies, being read aloud in taverns, public meeting places, and more. At the start of the American Revolution, many people in the colonies were unsure of what side they wanted to be on during the war, the British Empire or the American Colonies. Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet changed that significantly. Common Sense was the first pamphlet in the colonies to openly ask for independence. Paine used writing strategies such as using simple words, quoting The Bible often, and publishing the pamphlet anonymously. This led to many colonists making their minds up about revolution.

    Pamphlets were one of the most important ways to spread information throughout the 1500s to the 1800s. However, most people when writing their pamphlets would use more scholary words and use Latin phrases to get their point across. Though you may think of a pamphlet as a small, 4 page booklet showing you around Yellowstone National Park, Paine's pamphlet was 47 pages long! Often times, people consider Common Sense to be the most influential pamphlet in American history. The pamphlet sold around 500,000 copies in two years, which was impressive compared to the 2,500,000 people living in the Thirteen Colonies. Paine would continue to write a series of pamphlets called "The American Crisis", with the first published in December of 1776.