Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet urging the American colonies to declare independence from Britain was Common Sense.
Published anonymously in Philadelphia on January 10, 1776, the 47-page pamphlet presented arguments against monarchy and continued colonial dependence on Britain. Paine wrote in direct, accessible prose intended for ordinary readers rather than only political scholars. The work quickly spread through printings, newspapers, taverns, and public readings.
Paine initially worked under the title Plain Truth, but Benjamin Rush suggested the more memorable title Common Sense. Robert Bell published the first edition, while Paine later arranged additional editions after a dispute over printing and profits. Paine also gave up his copyright, meaning he did not become wealthy from its success.
Common Sense did not itself declare independence or replace the Declaration of Independence. Instead, it helped make independence a widely discussed political goal during the months before the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration. It is often described as one of the most influential pamphlets of the American Revolution.