In this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States, host and narrator Will Sarris presents a dramatic reading of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense—the most influential political pamphlet of the American Revolution.

Written in January 1776, Common Sense made the bold, radical case for full independence from Great Britain at a time when many American colonists still hoped for reconciliation with the Crown. Paine’s plain language and powerful arguments against monarchy, hereditary succession, and the English constitution helped transform public opinion and paved the way for the Declaration of Independence.

In Part 1, we explore Paine’s opening sections on:

• The origin and purpose of government
• The difference between society and government
• Why monarchy is inherently flawed
• The dangers of hereditary rule
• Early arguments for republican government and liberty

Because Common Sense was meant to be heard rather than read, this podcast presents the text as it would have been experienced in taverns, meeting halls, and public gatherings throughout colonial America—brought to life through professional voice performance.

This episode includes historical context but allows the primary source to speak for itself, inviting listeners to engage directly with the ideas that shaped the founding of the United States.

🎧 Next episode: We continue with the next section of Common Sense, “The Present State of American Affairs.”

About the Podcast
Creating America is a narrated American history podcast dedicated to reading and preserving the documents and speeches that shaped the United States, from famous texts to nearly forgotten works.

Host: Will Sarris
📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris
🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net