Thomas Paine articles on Democracy Chronicles

Born in 1737 England, Thomas Paine was perhaps the most important advocate for democracy in history and saw worldwide democracy as his ultimate goal. He fought with George Washington in the American Revolution while advocating for the end of slavery, the empowerment of women and diplomacy with Native American tribes. As the leading voice for democracy in the French Revolution, he stood alone calling for the end of the death penalty before the revolution devolved into the Reign of Terror, only barely escaping execution by guillotine himself. Contemporary poet Joel Barlow said, "Without the pen of Thomas Paine, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain". Also see our articles on the Founding Fathers.