The CrisisIn the winter of 1776, the American War of Independence, which had been declared months before, was in trouble. British troops had quickly advanced through New York to crush the rebellion, and the Continental army was in retreat and on the verge of disintegration. At the end of that year, on the 23rd of December, Thomas Paine, who had previously inspired the revolutionary cause with his stirring pamphlet Common Sense, published the first of a new series of essays aptly titled The Crisis. Paine had a gift for memorable phrasing and the first words of The Crisis soon became famous. General Washington found the writing so uplifting that later, during the bleak winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, he ordered Paine's essay to be read by all the troops. Paine continued his writing through the duration of the war with eloquent appeals for justice addressed to British leaders and citizens, and uplifting words to bolster the patriots in their fight for independence. A document that provides many insights into the hardships and precarious uncertainties that threatened the birth of our nation, The Crisis belongs on every American's bookshelf. |
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The Crisis: A Work Written While With the Army of the Revolution, With a ... No preview available - 2020 |
The Crisis: A Work Written While with the Army of the Revolution, with a ... Thomas Paine No preview available - 2015 |
Common terms and phrases
advantage America arms army arrived become Britain British called campaign carried cause character circumstances civil civil list colonies commerce COMMON SENSE conduct Congress conquered conquest consequence continent court Crisis declared defeat defend duty effectual endeavor enemy England Europe expense fate feel folly force former Fort Washington France hath honor hope hundred idea independence inhabitants interest John Locke John Pemberton king king of England likewise London Gazette Lord Lord North Lord Shelburne lordship mankind matter means ment millions mind ministry misfortune nation natural never object obliged ourselves parliament passion peace Pennsylvania persons Philadelphia plunder politics pounds sterling present principle prisoners proclamation punishment Quakers quit-rents quota reason reduce retreat ruin secure shillings spirit suffer suppose taxes thing Thomas Paine thought thousand tion tories trade treaty United whigs whole wish