Three for Independence

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense argued openly for American colonies’ independence from Great Britain, an aristocracy.  Common Sense “appeared in January 1776, after the Revolution had started.  It was passed around and often read aloud in taverns, contributing significantly to spreading the idea of republicanism, building enthusiasm for separation from Britain, and encouraging recruitment for the Continental Army.  Paine provided a new and convincing argument for independence by advocating a complete break with history.

Later in 1776, Paine wrote and published The Crisis, another pamphlet that was read widely, including to an audience of colonial soldiers at General George Washington’s request.  “These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman,” he wrote. 

Paine ignited popular opinion in support of the Revolution and a war against the Crown that lasted about eight years (1775-1783).  He was accompanied by others of equal voice, such as Sam Adams, who said, “Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.”  Sam Adams became another popular propagandist.  His Right of Revolution, a third pamphlet, was published in 1769. 

From Threes, Chapter Seven, “Threes in Government and Politics”