How Did Thomas Paine Contribute To American Independence

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

During 1776, the most important persuader of American Independence was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, a pamphlet that expressed his advocacy for the independence of American colonies from Great Britain. As the pamphlet gained popularity, it received both praise and criticism from Patriots who supported the cause, as well as rejection from Loyalists who supported Britain. The Loyalists found the pamphlet to be extreme and labeled it as insidious and absurd. In contrast, the majority of Patriots found it to be a wonder and a miracle that was promoting a good cause. However, there were still some patriots that believed it was hurting the cause.

A lot of the support for Common Sense was seen in colonial newspapers such as The Pennsylvania Evening Post and The New York Journal who received letters from colonists that wanted to show support for the pamphlet. They cited it as “plain [straightforward]” “just“ and “conclusive”. It convinced them that American independence was necessary and that Thomas Paine had given the American individual the materials needed for liberty. Meanwhile, one of the

He claimed the pamphlet was “insidious”, “pernicious” and that it promoted bad ideas during a time when the population was unstable. Additionally, he wrote “...he gives vent to his own private resentment and ambition, and recommends a scheme which must infallibly prove ruinous.” believing that renouncing allegiance from the King and Britain would be a disaster and was far from common sense. Another criticizer was a moderate Loyalist by the name of Hannah Griffitts. She wrote a poem where she labeled Paine a “Snake beneath the Grass”. She thought the pamphlet promoted extreme views that would make reconciliation with Britain even less likely. A lot of Loyalists throughout the colonies echoed the views of Rev. Charles Inglis and poet Hannah