2.6: A Most Radical Writer: Thomas Paine, and the stunning victory at Trenton

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He arrived in North American in December 1774 with a fever so devastating that he needed to be carried ashore.   This man also carried with him letters of introduction from none other than Dr. Benjamin Franklin, so there must have been something special about this individual.  The succeeding years would bear this out, for once Englishman Thomas Paine picked up his pen, flourishing oratory and dramatic inspiration were the results.  Using the remarkable Battle of Trenton as a framing device, this episode of History: Beyond the Textbook highlights the radical writer Thomas Paine and the efforts he undertook to help lead the United States to victory in the American Revolution.

Key People
Thomas Paine
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams
George Washington

Key Events/Works
Common Sense
The American Crisis
Battle of Trenton

The third season of History: Beyond the Textbook focuses on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Crucial Years" of 1783-1790, and runs from October 8-December 24. Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," and Season Two, "America's Revolution," wherever you listen to your podcasts!

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