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They were written in a language that the common man could understand, and represented Pain’s liberal philosophy. Pain’s writings bolstered the morale of the American colonists, appealed to the English people’s consideration of the war with America, clarified the issues at stake in the war, and denounced the advocates of a negotiated peace. The first volume begins with the famous words “These are the times that try men’s souls. ” Contents and themes The first of the pamphlets was released during a time when the Revolution was still viewed as an unsteady prospect. Its opening sentence was adopted as the watchword of the movement to Trenton.
The opening lines are as follows: These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, In this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by It now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. The pamphlet, read aloud to the Continental Army on December 23, 1776, three days before the Battle of Trenton, tempted to bolster morale and resistance among patriots, as well as shame neutrals and loyalists toward the cause: Tyranny, like hell, Is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
Along with the patriotic nature of The American Crisis, It displayed Pain’s strong deist beliefs, inciting the laity with suggestions that the British are trying to assume powers that only God should have. Paine sees the British political and laity maneuvers In America as “Impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. Paine states that he believes God supports the American cause, “that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupported to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could Invent”. Paine takes great lengths to state that Americans do not lack force, but “a proper application of that force” – Implying throughout that an extended war can lead only to feat unless a stable army was composed not of Malta but of trained professionals.
But Paine maintains a positive view overall, hoping that this American crawls can be quickly resolved, “for though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire. ” Thomas Paine “The American Crisis” By fingernails the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by it now, neutrals and loyalists toward the cause: Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet rump.
Along with the patriotic nature of The American Crisis, it displayed Pain’s military maneuvers in America as “impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent”. Paine application of that force” – implying throughout that an extended war can lead only to defeat unless a stable army was composed not of militia but of trained professionals.