# Ep. 285 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | Robert McDonald | Thomas Paine's Common Sense: 250 Years Later

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/constitutional-chats-presented-by-constituting-america-280406/ep-285-constitutional-chats-podcast-robert-mcdonald-thomas-paine-s-common-sense-250-years-later
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/constitutional-chats-presented-by-constituting-america-280406/ep-285-constitutional-chats-podcast-robert-mcdonald-thomas-paine-s-common-sense-250-years-later.md
Podcast: [Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America](https://stenobird.com/podcast/constitutional-chats-presented-by-constituting-america-280406)
Published: 2026-01-17T00:33:04+00:00
Episode link: https://constitutionalchats.libsyn.com/ep-285-constitutional-chats-podcast-robert-mcdonald-thomas-paines-common-sense-250-years-later
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/constitutionalchats/Ep._285_Thomas_Paine_s_Common_Sense_250_Years_Later_480.mp4?dest-id=2005235
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Duration seconds: 3370

## Resource

Our country is built on a great library of extraordinary documents that framed our new republic in its infancy. Constituting America always delights in discussing these works. In that spirit, today we are discussing Thomas Paine's seminal work, "Common Sense." How did the English-born Paine become such an ardent supporter of American independence and what role did his work have in pushing us from mere resistance to revolution? To discuss this extraordinary document, we are pleased to welcome to the chat Robert McDonald, professor of history at the U.S Military Academy in West Point, NY.

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## Transcript

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