Without Thomas Paine, the United States of America would not be the strong and independent country it is today. In 1776 Paine insightfully argued that it would only be a short time before the colonies would break with England. Within the first three months of its publication, Common Sense sold 120,000 copies and became the foundation for American political literature. Paine's vision and quotable slogans defined the United States at its most critical point in history and remains relevant for today's citizens.