Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense, published anonymously in Philadelphia in January 1776, immediately became a defining text of the American Revolution. The 47-page document bypassed the complex political and philosophical language of the time, instead appealing directly to the common colonist with plain, forceful prose. It was a runaway bestseller, selling an estimated 120,000 copies within three months, reaching a significant portion of the colonies’ 2.5 million residents. Its purpose was to shift the public conversation from merely protesting British policy and seeking reconciliation to embracing complete independence and a new form of government.
The Illegitimacy of Monarchy
Paine began his argument by making a fundamental distinction between society and government, which served as the foundation for his attack on the British system. He posited that society arises from human wants and is a positive force that promotes happiness by uniting people. Government, however, is a restrictive force necessitated by moral failings, which Paine characterized as a “necessary evil” even in its best form.
He then directed his attack against the concept of monarchy and hereditary succession, arguing that the distinction between kings and subjects has no natural or religious basis, as all men are originally equals. Paine mocked the English constitutional system, describing it as a mix of “monarchical tyranny” and “aristocratical tyranny.” Since the power of the King and the Lords was hereditary, they were independent of the people and contributed nothing to the state’s freedom.
Paine dismissed hereditary succession as an “insult and imposition on posterity,” arguing that a worthy ancestor could not guarantee equally fit descendants. He noted the absurdity that nature often turns the idea of hereditary right into ridicule by giving mankind “an Ass for a Lion.”
Furthermore, he argued that the English system, with its checks and balances, was inherently flawed. It gave the Crown a power that the people always felt obliged to check, suggesting that any power requiring such restraint could not be divinely ordained. Paine thus moved beyond merely criticizing King George III to delegitimizing the entire structure of kingship as an oppressive institution.
The Necessity of Immediate Independence
The pamphlet focused on the practical arguments for immediate separation from Great Britain. Paine framed the issue not as a rebellion, but as a natural progression, arguing that a continent being perpetually governed by an island was an absurdity that reversed the order of nature. He stressed that America had reached maturity and no longer required the guidance of a “mother country,” especially since governance was ineffective due to the vast distance.
Paine systematically dismantled the economic argument for remaining connected to Britain, asserting that the relationship only dragged America into unnecessary European wars. He contended that American trade would flourish more freely if it were not entangled in British foreign policy, allowing the continent to maintain peace with nations like France and Spain. He argued that any delay in declaring independence would only lead to internal chaos and the rise of a demagogue, urging colonists to seize the current moment to form a government “in a cool deliberate manner.”
He appealed to the colonists’ moral sensibilities by pointing out that reconciliation was impossible after the brutal actions committed by the British military. Those who had suffered under British “barbarity” had feelings that could not be dismissed. Paine warned that attempting to patch up the relationship would only lead to further revolts later, making separation a matter of simple “common sense.”
Principles for a New American Government
Having torn down the British system, Paine offered a constructive vision for the future American republic, advocating for a simple, representative structure. He proposed that independence should lead directly to the formation of a government based on a written “Continental Charter,” drafted by a “Continental Conference.” This charter would secure the freedom and property of all men and ensure the free exercise of religion.
Paine’s design centered on a government with a single legislative body, favoring frequent elections and proportional representation. This structure ensured that elected officials maintained a common interest with the community. He asserted that in America, “the law is king,” contrasting this republican principle with absolute governments where the king is the law. This emphasized that the strength of the governed depended on the support and interchange between the people and their elected representatives.