Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet Common Sense helped build support for the independence celebrated by America250.
Published anonymously in Philadelphia in January 1776, Common Sense argued that the American colonies should seek complete independence from Great Britain. Paine presented the case in direct, accessible language rather than the formal style common in political writing of the period.
The pamphlet attacked hereditary monarchy and argued that the colonies’ economic and political interests would be better served by independence. It circulated widely and helped make open discussion of separation from Britain more acceptable.
Common Sense did not itself declare independence, and Paine was not the author of the Declaration of Independence. Its importance lies in its role as persuasive political writing during the months before Congress adopted the Lee Resolution and the Declaration.