Why did Thomas Paine Write Common Sense?

Thomas Paine was a radical propagandist. He contributed articles to the Pennsylvania Magazine on various topics. Paine was committed to the cause of American independence. On January 10, 1776, he published a pamphlet titled as Common Sense, which became popular instantly and was meant for the common man to understand clearly what needed to be done to get independence from Great Britain.

Paine’s comprehensible writing was in contrast with the complex writings style of his peers and because of that Common Sense was even read aloud at public places and more than 10,000 copies were sold in just three months.Cause Behind the Creation of Common Sense

The ideas proposed in the pamphlet contributed in building enthusiasm amongst the common people in favor of complete separation from Great Britain and encouraged recruitment for the Continental (Patriots) Army. The Army was beaten many times and so Paine published The Crisis to boost their morale in the following years. But it was Common Sense that brought him the title of The Father of the American Revolution. He criticized the monarchy of the British constitution and opposed any reconciliation with the Great Britain. He stressed on declaring independence and establishing a republican constitution.Controversies and Public Reception

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was targeted for a number of controversies and it was criticized by the Loyalists. It didn’t have any noticeable influence on the Congress either but it sure did start a public debate on independence which was rather hushed up until that time and churned only amongst the learned and the elite. Formerly one third of Americans were on Patriots’ side, one third on Loyalists and the remaining were neutral. Common Sense not only paved the way towards the American independence but it also convinced the last group of one third population in favor of the Patriots.