Final answer:
Thomas Paine wrote 'The American Crisis' in 1776 to motivate Patriots to continue their struggle for independence from Britain, condemning 'sunshine soldiers' and promoting the vision of an American republic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine wrote the influential pamphlet titled The American Crisis to encourage Patriots during the American Revolution. Within this pamphlet, particularly in its opening lines, Paine challenges the Patriots to persevere through the hardships they faced and avoid becoming 'sunshine soldiers', who would only serve their country in fair weather but not in crisis. His powerful words, such as 'These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.' were meant to inspire and maintain the revolutionary spirit against British tyranny, which included oppressive taxation and the attempted suppression of the colonies' growth and economic development. With the vision of an American republic founded on the principles of popular sovereignty, Paine's writings played a crucial role in solidifying the resolve of colonists to fight for independence.