Final answer:
Thomas Paine's pamphlet, 'Common Sense,' heavily critiqued the British monarchy and was a major factor in rallying the American colonies toward seeking independence, contributing to the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pamphlet called Common Sense was published by Thomas Paine and critiqued the British monarchy and urged the colonies to become independent. This pamphlet, written in straightforward language, became immensely popular in the thirteen colonies and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion in favor of independence and a republican form of government.
Thomas Paine, a native of Britain who had moved to Philadelphia two years prior, wrote Common Sense to make a compelling argument for independence by using 'simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense'.
His clear explanations helped convince many colonists that they should not continue under British rule but rather become an independent nation.
By highlighting the shortcomings of the British monarchy and emphasizing the natural rights of equality and self-governance, Paine's Common Sense became arguably the most radical and influential pamphlet of the revolutionary era, contributing significantly to the push for what would become the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.