The American Revolution was one of the most profound accomplishments in American history, if not world history. One of the largest military forces in the world at the time was defeated by a very small portion of its community in a fight for that portions freedom, and independence. Many Americans played a large role in that struggle, some being military, others being politicians. Many people look over a third significant group of people that assisted in the Revolution, the political idealists and writers of the time. Two battles were fought during the time of the Revolution, a battle against Great Britain; as well as a battle to gain the assistance of our neighbors. Political writers, such as Thomas Paine, played a very large role in gaining the support needed by the American people.

Thomas Paine's work was one of the greatest written influences on the Revolutionary War. His two most pronounced pieces may have been The Crisis, and Common Sense. Although The Crisis did not sell as many copies as Common Sense, it did stir a very large amount of will and the heart to fight amongst those who were able and willing that won this war. The Crisis open

s up with the words "These are the times that try men's souls." Of course referring to the time that they were living in, the time of the revolution, it is a very strong opening statement to grab the attention of the readers, and that is exactly what he needed to do. Washington, upon reading it, ordered all of his troops to do so as well, as to stir up emotion, and the drive to succeed that they had known in the beginning years of the war. In the very beginning of the paper he makes reference to the "summer soldier" and the "sunshine patriot." Both of these titles are referring to the same peoples; those who fight only when it looks as though they are wining, and those who will only show their support to the winning side of the battle. This statement is added so early as to make the readers who are "summer soldiers" to read the rest as though they have done something wrong, and must make up for that wrong doing diligently. Americas Great Britain monarchy is then accused of being a tyranny, fallowing up by comparing it to hell. After viewing this line, the reader does not even stop to think about weather or not the monarchy is actually a tyranny, they just believe it and continue on to the next part of the paper with thoughts of evil British rule. Paine's next strong statement is that the American Colonists have repeatedly attempted to avoid war at all costs, and in every and any way they could possibly think of. This removes any shadow of a doubt that fighting for the American independence is or was wrong. A father within a tavern is then brought into the article saying "Well! Give me peace in my day." Paine accuses this man of being unfatherly stating that we should believe in fighting for our children, not trying to maintain peace for ourselves. This powerful statements strikes guilt into those parents, and those without children who believe what the father says, not Paine's view. The paper continues until reaching a very strong end, stating "Look on this paper and weep over it! and if there yet remains one thoughtless wrench who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented." Within this closing line, he states that when you finish reading this paper, if you do not believe in what it says, then you deserve to suffer the consequences of staying with Britain. (Nextext, 105-111)

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Approximate Word count = 1792
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)