The American Crisis · Chapter
The Crisis III explained
Paine argues for clear distinction between Whigs and Tories, condemns the latter as traitors, and calls for strict justice against disaffection.
What happens
Paine argues for clear distinction between Whigs and Tories, condemns the latter as traitors, and calls for strict justice against disaffection. He reviews the stages of the quarrel with Britain, insists on the indivisibility of the cause, and reaffirms that only independence can secure peace, honor, and commerce.
Themes in this chapter
Unity and National Identity
Paine stresses the need to distinguish Whigs from Tories and to unite all supporters of independence, shutting out disaffection.
Freedom vs. Tyranny
The struggle is framed as a desperate game where Britain seeks to enslave the continent, and independence is the only path to freedom.
The Cost of War
Paine discusses the financial burden of war, proposing to tax Tory estates to reward Whigs who defend the city.
Reason and Rebellion
Paine reviews the logical stages of the quarrel—denial of right, suspension of taxable articles, petition, and armed defense—to justify rebellion.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Author of the Crisis, writing from Philadelphia on April 19, 1777, and reflecting on his previous charitable approach to Tories.
- Tories
Denounced as avaricious miscreants, hungry traitors, and crown dependants who have invited the enemy and done nothing for the cause.
- America
The independent States whose allegiance must be clearly known, and whose supporters are Whigs.
- Britain
Described as a gamester nearly ruined, unable to conquer or govern America, and now playing a desperate game.
- George the Third
Mentioned as the monarch whose alliance would bring France and Spain against America.
- The Quakers
Criticized for a treasonable publication of November 20, and for being allowed to escape punishment by the Committee of Safety.
- John Pemberton
Signed the Quaker Testimony of November 20, which Paine condemns as incendiary and treasonable.
- Congress
Implied as the body that must act against disaffection and support independence.
Key passages
“In every former publication of mine, from Common Sense down to the last Crisis, I have generally gone on the charitable supposition, that the Tories were rather a mistaken than a criminal people... I have done my duty by them and have now done with that doctrine.”
Paine says he previously assumed Tories were merely misguided, but now he abandons that charitable view and considers them traitors.
Paine shifts from persuasion to condemnation of Tories.
“As free and independent States we are willing to make peace with you tomorrow, but we neither can hear nor reply in any other character.”
America will only negotiate with Britain as independent states, not as colonies.
Paine insists on independence as the sole basis for peace.
“He that is not a supporter of the independent States of America in the same degree that his religious and political principles would suffer him to support the government of any other country, of which he called himself a subject, is, in the American sense of the word, a Tory.”
Anyone who does not fully support American independence is, by American definition, a Tory.
Paine draws a clear line between patriots and loyalists.
