American Crisis aka The Crisis - Thomas Paine
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What does the editor’s preface say about the first Crisis and its historical context?
Introduction to the American Crisis by Thomas Paine. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Liebervax dot org Recording by Michelle Fry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Introduction from the editor's preface of the writings of Thomas Paine Volume one by Collected and edited by Moncure D Conway. The first crisis was printed in the Pennsylvania Journal december nineteenth, seventeen seventy six, and opens with the famous sentence These are the times that try men's souls. The last crisis appeared april nineteenth, seventeen eighty three. The eighth anniversary of the first gun of the war at Lexington And opens with the words
The times that tried men's souls are over. The great effect produced by Paine's successive publications has been attested by Washington and Franklin, by every leader of the American Revolution, by By resolutions of Congress and by every contemporary historian of the events amid which they were written. The first crisis is of special historical interest. It was written during the retreat of Washington across the Delaware, and by order of the commander was read to groups of his dispirited and suffering soldiers. Its opening sentence was adopted as the watchword of the movement on Trenton a few days after its publication, and is believed to have inspired much of the courage which won that victory, which, though not imposing in extent, was of great moral effect on Washington's little army.
End of Editor's Preface
Section one of the American Crisis by Thomas Paine. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit librivoks. org. Recording by Nigel Carrington Crisis number one. Published december twenty third, seventeen seventy six. 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. At the heart of the conflict, the The more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap? We esteem too lightly.
It is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods, and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated. Britain. with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right not only to tax, but to bind us in all cases whatsoever. And if being bound in that manner is not slavery. Then there is not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious and For so unlimited a power can belong only to God. Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon or Or delayed too long. I will not now enter into as an argument. My own simple opinion is that That had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better.
We did not make a proper use of last winter, but Neither could we, while we were in a dependent state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own. We have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet. All that Howe has been doing for this month past is rather a ravage than a conquest. Which the spirit of the jerseys, a year ago, would have quickly repulsed. and which time and a little resolution will soon recover. Insert. The present winter is worth an age, if rightly employed, but if lost or neglected, the whole continent will partake of the evil. And there is no punishment that man does not deserve, be he who or what or where he will, that may be the means of sacrificing a season so precious and useful.
End of insert I have as little superstition in me as any man living. But my secret opinion has ever been and still is. That God almighty will not give up a people to military destruction or leave them unsupportedly to perish who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What does the editor’s preface say about the first Crisis and its historical context?
0:00–12:19
2
How does the reading of Crisis 1 unfold and what arguments does Paine present?
12:19–2:28:18
3
Why does Paine urge the colonies to confront the advancing enemy and rally their forces?
2:28:18–3:39:09
4
How does Paine criticize British policies, war costs, and the futility of conquering America?
3:39:09–4:39:31
5
What solutions and appeals does Paine propose for ending the war and securing America’s independence?
4:39:31–5:13:28
6
What are the arguments for raising taxes to fund the war effort?
5:13:28–6:39:35
7
How does the author propose organizing state quotas and the Union to support the war?
6:39:35–7:41:51
8
Why does the author warn against British trade restrictions and advocate a unified American commercial policy?
7:41:51–8:19:22
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