The American Crisis was the title of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet series that began with the famous line about times that try people’s souls. The first installment appeared in the Pennsylvania Journal on December 19, 1776.
Paine wrote the opening pamphlet during a difficult period for the Continental Army. British forces had recently captured New York City, enlistments were expiring, and the Patriot cause faced serious military and political uncertainty.
George Washington ordered the pamphlet read aloud to his troops before the Delaware River crossing and the Battle of Trenton. Its direct language was intended to strengthen morale and encourage continued resistance.
The American Crisis was separate from Common Sense, Paine’s earlier argument for independence. The Crisis series followed the war from 1776 into the early 1780s, with multiple pamphlets addressing military events, political disputes, and the meaning of revolutionary commitment.