Common Sense

Common Sense is a pro-independence pamphlet by Thomas Paine, published anonymously on January 10, 1776. It quickly gained popularity, with an estimated 120,000 copies distributed within three months, making it the best-selling work in 18th-century America. The pamphlet played a crucial role in persuading colonists, including prominent figures like George Washington and John Adams, to pursue independence from Great Britain, advocating strongly against any compromise short of complete separation. Its influence extended beyond America, with total sales reaching 500,000 copies across both America and Europe.