The American Crisis- Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine is calling the people together to fight for their rights. He wants people to take action, instead of just wanting there to be a change. Thomas Paine writes, "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. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it" (The American Reader, page 52). The American people should come to fight for their country. Taking action is something that they needed to do. They needed to stand up for what they believed in. In order for the fight to be successful they need everybody to set aside their fears and stand up for what is right. Thomas Paine talks about how people need to be brave. What they were going to face would not be easy but it was something that needed to be done. However, a man that is a coward could not do this. Thomas Paine wrote, "The heart that fees not now, is dead: the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength  from distress, and grow brave by reflection" (The American Reader, page 53). It takes a lot of courage to be able to take action. Thomas Paine is right when he says he loves a man who can put a smile on his face in a time of trouble. Everybody coming together to fight for America was an important part of why we have the freedoms we have today.