Thomas Paine: The Power of the Pen

Thomas Paine’s contribution to The American Revolution proved that not all victories were won on the battlefield or in the offices of statesmen. As a writer, his power of words stirred emotion in all of its readers, from simple farmers to worldly ambassadors. As an idealist, his thinking would help change the course of history. He had a grand vision for America and although he came from humble beginnings, his talent and perseverance allowed his vision to be shared with the rest of the world. Truly, one person can make a difference and the story of Thomas Paine proves that.

Paine’s early life was simple and unextraordinary. Born in Thetford, England on January 29, 1737, he was the son of a poor Quaker who made ladies’ corsets. After attending grammar school, Thomas became an apprentice to his father and began to make corsets as well. But that was not Thomas Paine’s destiny and soon he moved on to try other careers, like that of an “exciseman” (tax collector) in Lewes, England. It was in this position that Paine would find his voice and begin to speak up for the rights of the common man, even if it meant being punished.

As an exciseman, Thomas Paine was unhappy. He believed that he and others in this position were being underpaid and treated unfairly. It was during this time that he had become interested in politics and had even started local debate clubs to discuss current events. After being fired from his position as an exciseman, Thomas Paine fought back. On behalf of all excise officers in England, he published a pamphlet in their defense. He angered his former employers by doing this, but it was a momentous occasion for Paine. With this act of rebellion, he found that the power of the pen could be very effective.

Another career change found Thomas Paine in London, working as a schoolteacher. He was not only a natural writer, but also a great instructor. However, instructing the lessons given to him by other people was not to Paine’s liking. He had strong, controversial views on how the world should work, specifically how the government should treat its citizens. Paine wanted to fight for the common man, for democracy. He felt that there was no need for a monarchy and that the government should help its people. By “help”, Paine meant the institution of free public schools, minimum wage for workers, social security benefits, and the end to all slavery. Of course, we have all of those things in America now and we have Paine, among other revolutionaries, to thank for it.

In 1774, Thomas Paine met another man with a vision for democracy, Benjamin Franklin. This meeting was of great historical significance, as both of these men would aid the American Revolution’s fight for democracy and ultimately, creating The United States of America as we know it. Franklin, impressed with Paine upon their meeting, decided to help him immigrate to America and continue his work there. With letters of recommendation from Benjamin Franklin, Paine would soon find himself in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he would further his fight for the common man with his writing.

In Philadelphia, as a full-time journalist, Paine published several articles for Pennsylvania Magazine. These articles were calling for change and action; the need to free America from the tyranny of British rule. These cries for a new democratic system were not falling on deaf ears. America was about to begin The American Revolution and Thomas Paine was one of the catalysts for making it happen. In 1776, the same year the uprising began, Paine would publish his most accomplished and influential work, Common Sense. It was the first of its kind: a public plea for America’s freedom from British government and monarchy.

To this day, Common Sense is considered to be one of the most important historical texts ever written. Although it was only the length of a pamphlet, its magnitude of influence shook the nation. It contained a concise description of what was wrong with Britain’s rule over America, and how it should be changed. More importantly, it was written in a way that everyone could understand it. This was wholly uncommon; both common citizens and the aristocracy could access Common Sense and relate to its message. Things were changing rapidly in the nation’s early days and Common Sense helped expedite the movement from British-governed America to The United States of America.

Common Sense had many rational ideas to point out. One was that Britain, as an island, was ill equipped to govern an entire continent (America). More importantly, an entire ocean separated Britain and America. This was long before telephones and airplanes had been invented. Should something go wrong in America, it would take too long for Britain to even hear about it and take action. Being a part of Britain would also mean that America would be dragged into any European wars that would take place. No, it was obvious that America needed to be a sovereign nation. (Hence Paine’s aptly named title, Common Sense.)

Paine’s writing had great influence over other revolutionaries, notably George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson used much of the ideas in Common Sense when he was writing “The Declaration of Independence”. Another champion of Paine’s work was Thomas Edison, almost a century after the publication of Common Sense. The famous inventor helped to bring Paine’s name and work back into circulation. Paine, an inventor in his own right, received several patents for things such as a smokeless candle. Thomas Paine’s other notable work included The Rights Of Man, in which he outlined his entire political philosophy.

Unfortunately, Thomas Paine’s life did not end on a favorable note. Always a controversial man, his writings on religious philosophy offended and alienated the public. His friends in power abandoned him and at one point in his life, he was imprisoned in Europe, sentenced to die by beheading. He miraculously escaped his death by a mistake on the prison guards’ behalf and walked out a free man. After returning to America, Thomas Paine lived out the rest of his life in solitude; only six people attended his funeral. Paine was fearless until the end. His revolutionary thinking made him one of the most influential founding fathers America has ever known. However, it was that same thinking that turned the public against him. He is remembered today as a great visionary and the very embodiment of American freedom.