In 1776 the prospects for American victory seemed small.ColonialColonial eliteselites--large landholders and plantation masterslarge landholders and plantation masters--benefited most from American benefited most from American
independence:independence: They continued to rule at home without outside interference.The pamphlet Common SenseCommon Sense by Anglo-American philosopher ThomaThomas Paines Paine presented powerful
arguments opposing kings and supporting a pure republicopposing kings and supporting a pure republic.They
fought on their own territory, and in order to win they did not have to defeat the British but only to and in order to win they did not have to defeat the British but only to
convince the British that the colonists could not be defeatedconvince the British that the colonists could not be defeated.Britain had a population more than three
times that of the colonies, and the British army was large, well-trained, and experienced.But Americans had powerful advantagespowerful advantages that in the end were decisive.