Common Sense

In January 1776, an anonymous pamphlet argued plainly and forcefully that the American colonies should break from Britain — not reform the relationship, but end it. Within months, Common Sense had sold hundreds of thousands of copies and changed the terms of the debate entirely.

Thomas Paine wrote without pretense or classical allusion. His argument was aimed at ordinary people, not scholars, and it landed with extraordinary force. The Declaration of Independence followed six months later.

The most influential political pamphlet in American history, and still a remarkable piece of persuasive writing.