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Common Sense

Also Known As Plain Truth
Declarations, Manifestos and Political Essays

Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775 and 1776 advocating independence from Great Britain for the people of the Thirteen Colonies. Writing in clear and persuasive prose, Paine gathered moral and political arguments meant to encourage ordinary colonists to fight for an egalitarian government. It was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the outset of the American Revolution, and became an immediate sensation.

Facts
Document Type
Pamphlet 2
Creation Year
1776 2
Origin Place
Philadelphia 2
Document Type
Document Type (category)
Pamphlet 1
FAQs

How widely did Common Sense circulate after it appeared without an author's name?

It sold an estimated 150000 copies and went through at least two dozen editions in its first year.

Common Sense was first published anonymously in January 1776, after fighting between the colonies and Great Britain had already begun. It gained popularity at once and was a phenomenal success for a pamphlet of its day, selling an estimated 150,000 copies and going through at least two dozen editions within a single year.
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Source Common Sense (Wikipedia)
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Sources
1. Common Sense (Wikipedia)
  • Lead
    is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine
  • In Era: The Early Modern Period, lead paragraph and infobox, date
    Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775-1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies.
View the Source
2. Common Sense (pamphlet), Wikipedia
  • Lead section, description
    a 47-page pamphlet
  • Lead section, publication date
    published on January 10, 1776
  • Publication section, place
    Published in Philadelphia
  • Composition section, working title
    Plain Truth
View the Source
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