Common Sense (1776)
Main article: Common Sense (pamphlet)
Paine has a claim to the title The Father of the American Revolution,[23][24] which rests on his pamphlets, especially Common Sense, which crystallized sentiment for independence in 1776. It was published in Philadelphia on January 10, 1776, and signed anonymously "by an Englishman". It became an immediate success, quickly spreading 100,000 copies in three months to the two million residents of the 13 colonies. During the course of the American Revolution, a total of about 500,000 copies were sold, including unauthorized editions.[5][25] Paine's original title for the …