Impact
Thomas Paine had an incredible impact on Americans with his writings. He knew how to inspire, grab attention, and get his point across. Paine thought that the cause of America should not just be a revolt against taxation but also for independence. So he wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense" expressing this idea. "Common Sense" not only had a valid point about independence and freedom but also paved the way for the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Paine took a stand in history for separation between the British and American colonists and convinced them to break ties with Britain. He was inspiring to George Washington when he wrote his collection of writings called "American Crisis." George Washington read it aloud to his troops to encourage them to continue on fighting for their freedom.
Cause and Effect
Without Thomas Paine's influential writings, who knows if George Washington's army would've continued fighting. They might've lost interest, given up, or preferred death, over battle. But Paine's pamphlet was the bit that had kept them going. It gave them an extra boost saying that we can't lose. We want freedom and independence. We want our own rights because what the British are doing is wrong and we disagree so why put up with it? Thomas Paine helped George Washington prove the point of why they should keep going because freedom was ahead.
So What? Why Should We Care?
"I know not whether any man in the world has had more influence on its inhabitants or affairs for the last thirty years than Tom Paine." -John Adams
Thomas Paine showed us that you can be encouraging and influencing through writing your own opinions and ideas. Though sometimes it can get you in trouble you will always be remembered for those moments that you did influence and you were agreed with. Thomas Paine was an important person in history because today we are able to look back at what he wrote and fully understand the United States conflicts and Thomas Paine's suggestions of independence. Thomas Paine helped create many ideas for the Age of Revolution.