The American Crisis · Chapter
The Crisis VII: To the People of England explained
Paine directly addresses the people of England, arguing that their government's delusion and mismanagement have led to a disastrous war.
What happens
Paine directly addresses the people of England, arguing that their government's delusion and mismanagement have led to a disastrous war. He recounts the failed British attempts to conquer America, highlighting the favorable conditions Britain squandered. Paine contends that the true British aim was conquest and confiscation, not reconciliation, and warns that even victory would have brought no benefit to the common Englishman. He concludes that America's independence is inevitable and that England is impoverishing itself in vain.
Themes in this chapter
The Cost of War
Paine emphasizes the immense financial burden on the English people and the futility of war for profit.
Freedom vs. Tyranny
The British aim of conquest is portrayed as tyrannical, while American resistance is framed as a just defense of liberty.
Reason and Rebellion
Paine appeals to logic and evidence, arguing that British policy is irrational and that rebellion is a reasoned response.
Divine Providence and Justice
Paine suggests that heaven is not willing for Britain to succeed, implying divine justice against British presumption.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Author of the Crisis, addressing the people of England directly, drawing on his firsthand knowledge of America.
- America
The resisting colonies, whose successful defiance and growing strength are central to Paine's argument.
- Britain
The nation being addressed, depicted as deluded, wasteful, and on the verge of defeat.
- General Burgoyne
Mentioned as a symbol of British defeat, his conquest being treated as impossible by Parliament.
- Congress
Referenced as the body that honored Paine with friendship, representing the American political leadership.
- George the Third
Implied as the head of the ministry whose policies Paine criticizes, though not named directly.
Key passages
“Either the means in your power are insufficient, or the measures ill planned; either the execution has been bad, or the thing attempted impracticable; or, to speak more emphatically, either you are not able or heaven is not willing.”
Your failure is due either to lack of resources, poor planning, bad execution, impossibility of the task, or divine opposition.
Paine summarizes the possible reasons for British failure, leaving the implication of divine disfavor.
“Misfortune and experience are lost upon mankind, when they produce neither reflection nor reformation.”
Suffering and lessons are wasted if they do not lead to thought and change.
Paine criticizes the British for not learning from their defeats.
“The arm of Britain has been spoken of as the arm of the Almighty, and she has lived of late as if she thought the whole world created for her diversion.”
Britain has arrogantly considered itself invincible and the world its playground.
Paine mocks British hubris and sense of entitlement.
“Nothing but the whole soil and property of the country can be placed as a possible equivalent against the millions which the ministry expended.”
Only total confiscation of American land could justify the war's enormous cost.
Paine argues that the war's expense reveals a hidden agenda of conquest and plunder.
“America is above your reach. She is at least your equal in the world, and her independence neither rests upon your consent, nor can it be prevented by your arms.”
America is beyond Britain's power to subdue; its independence is inevitable regardless of British approval or force.
Paine declares American independence as a fait accompli.
