Democracy and Nationalism in Nineteenth-Century America

From the 1770s to Whitman's death nationalism and democracy were interwoven in America. The interconnectedness of nationalism and democracy can be traced in Paine's Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence, George Washington's political activities and the Civil War.

At the beginning of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine (1737–1809) published his best-selling pamphlet, Common Sense. “Within three months it had sold 100,000 copies and become the central literary document in the Revolutionary movement.” It appeared anonymously on 10 January 1776. It explained the need for independence from Britain. The pamphlet encouraged people in the Thirteen Colonies to fight for separation at a time when the question of whether or not to declare independence from Britain was the most heated issue of the day. Paine asserted, “TIS TIME TO PART” and “there is something absurd in supposing a Continent to be perpetually governed by an island.” It was widely sold, distributed and lent out, and often read aloud in taverns and meeting places inspiring recruitment for the Continental Army. “General George Washington was so impressed by its appeal that he ordered it read to all soldiers in the field.” It is described as “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era.” By June 1776, with the popularity of ideas such as those publicised by Paine's Common Sense, a growing majority of the people in the Thirteen Colonies had been convinced that they should seek independence from the colonial government. “In the months that followed the publication of Common Sense, groups of Americans at the town, county, and state levels issued petitions and resolutions calling on the Continental Congress to declare American independence from Britain.”

Paine's Common Sense proved “one of the most instrumental publications in history and enjoy[ed] a print run of half a million copies – enormous for its day.” It played an important role in the political history of the country. As previously mentioned, it contributed significantly to the process of American independence. “Circulated throughout the colonies, Common Sense did more than any other publication to put American public opinion squarely on the side of independence.” But it would not do justice to the work if one limited its influence to American nationalism and independence. Paine had two main objectives: 1) gaining independence from Britain and 2) forming a democratic republic. His arguments to support the two centred on democracy.