Common Sense

The late 18th century found the world in the grip of an ideological battle. On one side, the old ways — monarchism, imperialism, colonialism. On the other, the new — republicanism, egalitarianism, freedom. Of the thinkers and theorists operating at this tumultuous time, few have become more influential and more renowned than Thomas Paine.

Paine's writings, The Age of Reason and The Rights of Man, became formative texts in the development of the fledgling United States, assisting policymakers and leaders as they navigated the early years of statehood. But neither of these works would have been possible without the earlier development of Paine's ideas, which coalesced into Common Sense in 1776.

In January 1776, the War of Independence was already well underway, but Common Sense helped galvanize and solidify many of the ideas that fueled this movement. The impact of Common Sense was certainly felt, six months later, when the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4. Common Sense continues to influence political discourse to this day.