TEXAS — June 8 marks Thomas Paine Day, a commemoration of one of the most influential political thinkers of the 18th century. While Paine is most famous for sparking the American Revolution through his pamphlet Common Sense, his revolutionary ideals also left an enduring imprint on the political and ideological foundations of Texas.
Though Paine never set foot in Texas, his ideas were carried by settlers, soldiers, and statesmen who would later ignite the Texas Revolution and shape the early laws and governance of the Republic of Texas. His writings influenced not only the American colonies but also movements for independence across the continent — including the fight for Texas’s sovereignty from Mexico.
Paine’s Influence on Revolutionary Thought
In 1776, Paine published Common Sense, a searing critique of monarchy and an argument for the natural rights of man. Its central message was simple but radical: Government must serve the people — and when it fails, the people have the right to overthrow it.
This concept of self-governance, popular sovereignty, and the right to revolution became a template for liberation movements throughout the 19th century, including in Texas, where colonists sought freedom from centralized Mexican rule.
Texas: A New Frontier for Revolutionary Ideas
During the early 1800s, Texas was part of Mexico, a nation grappling with its own post-colonial identity. However, tensions quickly grew between Mexican authorities and settlers in Texas, many of whom were from the United States and steeped in the revolutionary traditions of men like Paine.
Settlers bristled under Mexican laws that restricted freedoms, banned slavery, and centralized authority. The rhetoric of liberty, individual rights, and the rejection of tyranny — all hallmarks of Paine’s legacy — became rallying cries leading up to the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836.
Sam Houston and the Spirit of Paine
One of the key figures in Texas history, Sam Houston, was directly influenced by American revolutionary ideals. As a veteran of the War of 1812 and a protégé of Andrew Jackson, Houston admired Paine’s advocacy for the common man. As commander of the Texas army and later president of the Republic of Texas, Houston embodied Paine’s belief in the power of ordinary people to govern themselves.
Houston’s close relationship with Native American tribes, who supported him politically and personally, also echoed Paine’s broader belief in human rights and cross-cultural respect — revolutionary notions for their time.
Legacy Beyond Borders
Though Paine did not play a direct role in Texas’s fight for independence, the philosophical backbone of that revolution owed much to him. His writings shaped the political consciousness of generations who would go on to challenge autocratic regimes and establish democratic governments across the Americas.
After winning independence, Texas formed its own republic and constitution — inspired in part by American revolutionary ideals. Paine’s influence was visible in these foundational documents, particularly in their defense of liberty, representation, and a government by the people.
Thomas Paine’s Enduring Relevance
Today, as we honor Thomas Paine Day, Texans and Americans alike can reflect on the power of words to inspire action and change the course of history. Common Sense may have been published nearly 250 years ago, but its message — that freedom and justice are rights, not privileges — continues to resonate from the hills of Pennsylvania to the plains of Texas.
LEARN MORE
Common Sense – Read the full pamphlet online at www.ushistory.org
History of Paine’s influence: www.history.com/articles/thomas-paine-common-sense-revolution
