The American Crisis

The pamphlets were contemporaneous with early parts of the American Revolution, when colonists needed inspiring works.

The American Crisis series was used to "recharge the revolutionary cause."[4] Paine, like many other politicians and scholars, knew that the colonists were not going to support the American Revolutionary War without proper reason to do so.

Written in a language that the common person could understand, they represented Paine's liberal philosophy.

Paine also used references to God, saying that a war against Great Britain would be a war with the support of God.

Paine's writings bolstered the morale of the American colonists, appealed to the British people's consideration of the war, clarified the issues at stake in the war, and denounced the advocates of a negotiated peace.

The first volume famously begins: "These are the times that try men's souls."