48 pages • 1 hour read
Thomas PaineThe American Crisis
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1776A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Key Figures
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine was born in Norfolk, England in 1736. He received very little education and worked alongside his father making ship ropes in the shipbuilding town of Thetford. In 1774, after becoming an acquaintance of Benjamin Franklin in London, he moved to America and began working for the Pennsylvania Magazine in January 1775. He began writing political essays and produced a popular pamphlet series called “Common Sense,” which urged colonists to rebel against the British and seek independence.
Once the revolutionary war was underway, Paine began writing his “Crisis” essays, which were also known for their direct, sermon-like style. Paine’s background as a working-class Englishman enabled him to connect with his readers and speak to them as a peer. Paine’s upbringing as an Englishman and his new identity as a colonist give him insight into both countries’ cultures and systems. As a result, his pamphlets are engaging and meaningful to readers of all backgrounds.
Sir William Howe
Referred to by various names in the text, including Howe, General Howe, and Commander Howe, he was the Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the War for Independence. Paine frequently addresses him in his essays to publicly shame him for contributions to the war or try to sway his mind with political, military, and financial reasoning.
Lord Richard Howe
Also referred to as Lord Howe, he was a naval commander for the British forces and the brother of Sir William Howe. Paine addresses his second essay to Lord Howe in which he mocks his recent proclamation and questions his moral principles and military strategy.
King George III
The reigning British monarch during this time period, Paine frequently refers to King George III as a tyrant and criticizes the notion of a monarch’s right to rule, and in particular King George III’s right to govern and tax the American colonies.
General Washington
George Washington served as the Commander-in-Chief for the American forces, and later became President of an independent United States. Paine speaks highly of him in his essays and praises his motives and military strategy.
Earl of Carlisle
Englishman Frederick Howard held the title of Earl of Carlisle during this period. Paine dedicates his sixth essay to him and General Clinton, castigating their propaganda and criticizing their strategy in prosecuting the war, and their motivations for doing so.
General Clinton
Henry Clinton was a General, and later Commander, of the British forces in North America. Paine dedicates his sixth essay to him and the Earl of Carlisle, criticizing their propaganda, their strategy in prosecuting the war, and their motivations for doing so.
The Earl of Shelburne
The Earl was a British politician who participated in British-American peace negotiations. Paine criticizes his reluctance to surrender the war and acknowledge American independence.
Related Titles
By Thomas Paine
