The American Crisis

The Continental Army was the American colonists’ army that was created and funded by Congress. It included men from all 13 states, some of whom had previously served in militias.

Hessians were the German soldiers which some German states rented out as mercenaries to fight for the British forces in America. Paine disparages Hessians as they are fighting against American colonists.

Paine uses the term Tories to refer to colonists who are loyal to Britain and want America to remain a British colony. Another term for these people is “Loyalists.” Paine accuses Tories of being traitors to America and often tries to persuade them to join the revolutionary cause.