The American Crisis
Thomas Paine, 1776
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The American Crisis is a run of pamphlets Thomas Paine wrote during the Revolutionary War. The first appeared in the Pennsylvania Journal on 19 December 1776, in the bleak winter after the American retreat, and opens with the line about times that try men's souls. Later numbers address the British commander Lord Howe, urge states and citizens to keep up the fight, and answer news from London. The tone is direct, angry and practical, meant to be read aloud to tired soldiers.
Where it happens
Through time
Who is in it, and behind it
Thomas Paine Author
Wrote all of the pamphlets and published the first in the Pennsylvania Journal.12
Lord Howe Addressee
Crisis No. 2 is written to him as the British commander.2
William Eden Addressee
Crisis VI is addressed to him and other British commissioners at New York.1
Earl of Carlisle Addressee
Crisis VI is addressed to him and other British commissioners at New York.1
What it is about
Duty in hard times
The opening number calls the summer soldier and sunshine patriot to stay through the hard winter.1
Freedom has a price
Paine argues that tyranny is not easily conquered and that what costs too little is valued too little.1
A call to everyone
He asks all states and all people, not a few, to share the burden.1
America as refuge
He describes the continent as a place that might be so happy if it gets clear of foreign dominion.1
In its own words
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 their country; but he that stands it now , deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake.
There is a dignity in the warm passions of a Whig, which is never to be found in the cold malice of a Tory. In the one nature is only heated—in the other she is poisoned. The instant the former has it in his power to punish, he feels a disposition to forgive; but the canine venom of the latter knows no relief but revenge.
Since the arrival of two, if not three packets in quick succession, at New York, from England, a variety of unconnected news has circulated through the country, and afforded as great a variety of speculation.
Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but to trade with them. A man can distinguish himself between temper and principle, and I am as confident, as I am that God governs the world, that America will never be happy till she gets clear of foreign dominion.
The shape of the book
19 chapters, 76,661 words. Point at a bar.
How it came to be here
Paine published thirteen numbers in 1776 and 1777 and three more through 1783. The last appeared on 19 April 1783, once the war was won. The first number speaks of Fort Lee and the retreat, and its opening line served as a watchword for the move on Trenton. Crisis No. 2 is addressed to Lord Howe. Paine's belief in a deity shows through the series, and Standard Ebooks adds an editor's introduction that sets each number in its moment.
Sources
Text: Standard Ebooks edition of the public-domain text. Standard Ebooks markup CC0 1.0; text public domain in the USA.