Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet that argued publicly for American independence was Common Sense.
Published in Philadelphia on January 10, 1776, the 47-page pamphlet made a direct case against monarchy and British rule. Paine wrote in clear, forceful prose aimed at ordinary colonists rather than only political leaders. It appeared anonymously under the description “by an Englishman,” helping the argument reach a broad audience during the early American Revolution.
Common Sense became one of the most influential political publications in the Thirteen Colonies. It was printed in multiple editions, circulated widely, and was often read aloud in public places. Historians disagree about its exact sales figures, but there is no serious doubt that it helped strengthen popular support for independence before the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
It is sometimes confused with Paine’s later pamphlet series The American Crisis, which began in December 1776 and supported the revolutionary cause during the war. Common Sense is the earlier work specifically associated with making the case for separation from Britain.