Tom Paine’s Revolution

This article was published in the April 1989 issue of The Freeman.

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Advocates of freedom often despair at the political inertia that must be overcome to achieve their goals. At times, it seems as if the freedom movement is progressing too slowly to reverse current political trends. In this regard, the American Revolution provides an important lesson.

Even after the Revolutionary War had begun, most Americans, including many colonial leaders, favored reconciliation with England. Most Americans still considered themselves to be loyal British subjects, and were willing to continue to do so, if only the King would correct his most grievous transgressions. In early 1776—more than eight months after the Battle of Lexington—colonists suddenly began to support the idea of American independence. This dramatic change can be largely attributed to the work of one man: Thomas Paine. Read more.