# America — The American Crisis character guide > America in The American Crisis by Thomas Paine. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Americans, The Americans **First appearance:** 0001-the-american-crisis ## Snapshot Not a place but a personified cause — a young nation learning that its true title is 'Americans,' not the local names of states. ## Who they are America in these pages is a collective character: a people Paine addresses directly, flatters, scolds, and pleads with as a single soul. Its defining tension is between local loyalties and a national identity, between the comfort of reconciliation and the harder road of independence. It matters because the entire arc of the Crisis depends on whether this character can hold its sentiment together long enough to win. ## Relationships ### [Britain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/britain) _rivalry_ America is engaged in a revolutionary war against Britain, seeking independence from colonial rule. ### [Lord Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/lord_howe) _rivalry_ Lord Howe, as a British commander, is an antagonist to the American cause for independence. ### [Silas Deane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/silas_deane) _professional_ Silas Deane served as an American diplomat in France, working to secure support for the revolution. ### [Tories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/tories) _rivalry_ America, as the revolutionary entity, was in direct conflict with the loyalist Tories who supported British rule. ### [George Washington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/george_washington) _professional_ George Washington served as the commanding general of the American Continental Army, embodying the nation's struggle. ### [Lord Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/lord_howe) _rivalry_ Lord Howe, as a British commander, is an antagonist to the American cause for independence. ### [Tories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/tories) _rivalry_ America, as the revolutionary entity, was in direct conflict with the loyalist Tories who supported British rule. ## In the story ### [Editor’s Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction) The American colonists are defended in the London essay and are the audience for Paine's Crisis. ### [The American Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-american-crisis) The collective American colonists, addressed as the primary audience and subject of Paine's exhortation. ### [The Crisis I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-i) The collective American people and cause; Paine appeals to them to stand firm and unite against British tyranny. ### [The Crisis II: To Lord Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-ii-to-lord-howe) The colonies personified, portrayed as watchful, resilient, and determined to maintain independence. ### [The Crisis III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-iii) The independent States whose allegiance must be clearly known, and whose supporters are Whigs. ### [The Crisis IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-iv) The collective American people and soldiers, urged to defend their freedom and support the army. ### [The Crisis V: To Gen. Sir William Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-v-to-gen-sir-william-howe) Described as young, virtuous, and favored by heaven; destined to flourish after suffering. ### [To the Inhabitants of America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/to-the-inhabitants-of-america) The collective American people are the primary audience, praised for their virtue and urged to act. ### [The Crisis VI: To the Earl of Carlisle, General Clinton, and William Eden, Esq., British Commissioners at New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-vi-to-the-earl-of-carlisle-general-clinton-and-william-eden-esq-british-commissioners-at-new-york) Portrayed as humane and restrained, but capable of retaliation if provoked. ### [The Crisis VII: To the People of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-vii-to-the-people-of-england) The resisting colonies, whose successful defiance and growing strength are central to Paine's argument. ### [The Crisis VIII: Address to the People of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-viii-address-to-the-people-of-england) Depicted as the victim of British cruelty, having fortified themselves against suffering and now beyond the reach of conquest. ### [The Crisis IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-ix) Described as brave in distress, serene in conquest, and roused to action by the loss of Charleston. ### [The Crisis Extraordinary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-extraordinary) The young nation whose principles and sacrifices are recalled, and whose security and prosperity are at stake. ### [The Crisis X: On the King of England’s Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-x-on-the-king-of-england-s-speech) Depicted as confident, curious, and disdainful of the king's threats; a nation risen without Britain's help. ### [To the People of America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/to-the-people-of-america) The collective entity whose war effort and financial struggles are analyzed. ### [The Crisis XI: On the Present State of News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-xi-on-the-present-state-of-news) The young nation whose character and honor Paine defends against British seduction. ### [The Crisis XII: To the Earl of Shelburne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-xii-to-the-earl-of-shelburne) The independent nation that Paine defends, asserting its sovereignty and rejecting British authority. ### [The Crisis XIII: Thoughts on the Peace, and Probable Advantages Thereof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-xiii-thoughts-on-the-peace-and-probable-advantages-thereof) America is portrayed as having a fair origin and character, now transitioning to peace and prosperity, with a duty to preserve its national reputation and union. ### [A Supernumerary Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/a-supernumerary-crisis) The sovereign and independent nation whose flag and commercial freedom Paine defends against British encroachment. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/america - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters