1. By Jordan Handel History 140 Thomas Paine

2. Born February 9, 1737, Thomas Paine was known as a pamphleteer and contributed to both the American and French Revolutions as seen through his writings The American Crisis, Common Sense, and The Rights of Man. Educated at Thetford Grammar School. Left Britain in 1774 and encouraged colonists that America should be free from the rule of Britain. He died in the city of New York at the age of 72 in 1809, but even though he had been a key figure in obtaining the independence of the United States of America, only six people attended his funeral because of his criticism of Christianity. Thomas Paine

3. In his anonymous pamphlet, “Common Sense,” he argued that It was ridiculous for an island to rule a continent and that America was not a British nation because it was a melting pot of peoples from all over Europe. He also stated that if America was to continue to be a part of Britain then it would be dragged in to a number of unnecessary wars in Europe for reasons that wouldn’t hardly effect them. Common Sense

4. He also published a series of pamphlets called “The American Crisis”, which further got the word out of the Revolution for American independence. Also called “The Crisis” It was written to raise the morale the American colonists. It appealed to the English people’s consideration of the war with America. It clarified issues at stake in the war. Denounced the advocates of a negotiated peace. The America Crisis

5. If Thomas Pain hadn’t encouraged the public that Independence for America was needed then who knows how much longer it would have taken for a similar person to come along and do the same thing, which very well could have taken a while and in return eliminating some of the most important events in early American History. He not only contributed to America but also stressed French revolution as well with the writings “The Rights of Man.” Despite not being able to speak French, this book was very influential and he was elected to be in the French National Convention in 1792. But, in his later life his popularity diminished when he began producing writings which spoke out against Christianity. Importance