An Introduction

In January of 1776, in Philadelphia, an anonymous pamphlet called Common Sense is published and sells for two shillings. The 47-page pamphlet, which advocates America’s independence from Britain and the King, quickly becomes a sensation and word spreads that Thomas Paine may be the author. A month later, a second edition under Paine’s name is published.

Having arrived from England after the conflict between the colonists and the British had already begun, Thomas Paine helped unite both common people and revolutionary leaders behind the idea that America should be free of England's oppressive taxes. Within the first year of its publication, Common Sense sold over 500,000 copies--in a population of only 2.5 million colonists--and many scholars credit this work as a major influence on the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

In this program, we invite you to revisit this central text and to consider its importance, historically and in contemporary politics. To offer particular insights and ways of reading the text, we have asked several University of Chicago faculty members to contribute their thoughts, online and on a faculty panel scheduled for Friday, June 4. An online discussion group allows you to join the conversation wherever you are, and faculty will contribute discussion questions to stimulate your thinking.

Common Sense (Adobe Reader is required to view pdf files)

Questions to consider as you read and discuss Common Sense:

1. Paine tells his readers, "A government of our own is our natural right." What reasons other than natural right does Paine offer for declaring independence from Great Britain?
2. In Paine's view, what reasons had caused American patriots to hesitate over the issue of declaring independence even after armed conflict had begun in April 1775?
3. What does Paine say or imply about how difficult it would likely be for Americans to secure their independence?
4. According to Paine, what would be the long-term benefits of declaring independence? Evaluate his predictions.
5. Paine makes a powerful case for keeping government simple. What does he assume about the forces that historically have subverted a people's ability to govern itself--demagoguery, and the mutual oppression of factions?
6. How might Paine respond to this? If government is designed "to supply the defect of moral virtue," how might government itself be protected from that same lack of virtue?
7. As regards American foreign and military policy, Paine exclaims, "What have we to do with setting the world at defiance? Our plan is commerce...." But later on in his pamphlet he concedes that "commerce diminishes the spirit both of patriotism and military defense." On what grounds is he so confident of America's future safety?
8. What does Paine see as America's mission in the world?