Final answer:
The most stirring image of the American Revolution presented by Thomas Paine is his depiction of American tenacity and the appeal to natural rights in 'The American Crisis' and 'Common Sense'.
These works contributed immensely to the American independence movement and resonated with Enlightenment ideals, which reflected in their popularity both in America and potentially in Great Britain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the images of the American Revolution presented by Thomas Paine, the most stirring is perhaps his portrayal of American resilience and the emphasis on natural rights in The American Crisis. This pamphlet series, with its famous opening line "These are the times that try men's souls," vividly captures the perseverance required during the struggle for independence. Paine's Common Sense also provides a memorable image by arguing for the natural equality of humans and the redundancy of a hereditary monarchy, influencing American political thought and encouraging the movement towards independence.
As for why such images would be popular in Great Britain post the Revolutionary War, they could be seen as a reflection of growing Enlightenment ideas that valued human rights and questioned traditional forms of governance. For Americans, Paine's words crystallized the ideals of the Revolution, reinforcing the notion that government should serve the people, and that the British crown had failed in this duty. The popularity of Common Sense hin_ged on its accessibility and practicality, resonating with both the everyday colonist and the intellectual, contributing to the growing support for independence.