Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet arguing for American independence was titled Common Sense.
Published anonymously in Philadelphia on January 10, 1776, the pamphlet addressed residents of the Thirteen Colonies in direct, accessible language. Paine attacked hereditary monarchy and argued that the colonies should seek complete independence rather than reconciliation with Great Britain.
Common Sense became an immediate publishing sensation. It was sold widely, read aloud in homes and taverns, and helped make independence a subject for ordinary colonists rather than only political leaders. Its influence is often discussed alongside the Declaration, although the pamphlet did not itself declare independence.
Paine originally considered the working title Plain Truth, but Benjamin Rush suggested Common Sense. The work’s arguments and remarkable circulation made it one of the best-known pieces of revolutionary political writing, giving America250 an important intellectual precursor to its 1776 milestone.