Why I, Thomas Paine, Wrote The American Crisis



Why I, Thomas Paine, Wrote The American Crisis

I, Thomas Paine, wrote, “The American Crisis” to make the Americans realize that the British system that ruled over us was corrupt, contemptible and despotic, reconciliation with the despotic setup is a highly illogical and, therefore, absurd idea, America has every right, and every opportunity to transform into an independent republic.

My task was not just to give words to my patriotic and intellectual notions, but to inculcate and elevate the patriotism of the Americans. I wrote those sixteen sensational pamphlets in a spirit of Enlightenment and to enlighten the American soul and the thoughts that surrounded them in the midst the Revolution. It was to boost their morale and help them emerge, with inspiration, from the abyss of despondency and the apathy which was a formidable enemy to the Americans similar to the British foe. I wanted it to reach at the doorstep of everyone and to have a dramatic effect on all its readers.

The pseudonym “Common Sense” reflects my intellect, my design and the response I wanted to generate. I wrote those pamphlets by employing common sense, in order to instill the common sense in Americans with the aim of receiving a response abound in common sense to produce a result that was acceptable to the common sense of the American people.

I achieved my purpose by means of simplicity, style and forcefulness. As I intended to raise the common sense of American people, I wrote it for the common American in a language that was common to all. I had to make it readily intelligible. Therefore, I avoided all kinds of literary ornamentation and made my language absolutely plain . I wanted the common man to be able to apprehend my concerns and to be able to transform my ideals of liberal philosophy into their common day life to bring about an uncommon Revolution with an uncommon spirit leading to an uncommon triumph.

As common sense I supported the American people in “the times that try men's souls”, so that with the gradual folding and unfolding of political events, I was able to let them know, “The time's that tried men's souls are over” . Through Common Sense, I had foreseen, Like General George Washington, the aftermath of a combat with an unmotivated and scarce force . I, by being a Revolutionist, realized the responsibility that I had to fulfill. MY duty was to uplift the spirits of the dispirited men, so that the beleaguered troops could muster their hopes and courage, to enable them to tread on the path that led to ultimate victory. It was all needed to make the Americans comprehend the issues that confronted us in war.

The key feature that built colonists hesitation wave was the British Navy. Though British had a notorious reputation with respect to maintaining a remarkable globe empire, many colonists found the idea hard to trust that the colonies destroy the shackles of British rule by defeating the ...