So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast Ep. 261: Thomas Paine's rise and fall
65 snips
Jan 15, 2026 
In this engaging discussion, Richard Bell, a history professor at the University of Maryland and author of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, unpacks Thomas Paine's turbulent journey. From his meteoric rise with Common Sense to becoming a political pariah, Bell explores how Paine's radical ideas fueled independence yet ultimately led to his alienation. The talk delves into Paine's impactful writings, his experiences during the French Revolution, and the complex legacy he left behind, urging listeners to reconsider his role in shaping democracy.
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From Nobody To National Force
- Thomas Paine went from obscurity to reshaping public opinion with Common Sense within a year of arriving in America.
- His pamphlet became the most widely read work after the Bible and reframed independence as a mass movement.
Franklin's Door-Opening Note
- Paine met Benjamin Franklin in London and received a letter of introduction that helped him emigrate to America.
- Franklin's pre-typed letters opened doors in Philadelphia's printing and publishing world.
Paine Gave Independence A Name
- Early revolutionary fighting sought redress, not independence, until Paine named independence as the solution.
- Common Sense shifted debate from better treatment to permanent separation from Britain.
