He didn't start Islam. He was born a Muslim but he was not a prophet then but later on in his life. Islam has been going on since the beggining of time. Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessings Upon him, <u>was given the title PROPHET at the age of 40.</u> Then he invited people to join Islam and passed messages on to people that was given to him by Allah through a holy book called, The Qu'ran.
Therefore Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) did not start Islam but was born as a muslim.
The pamphlet "Common Sense" was written by an English author known as Thomas Paine. This caused the colonies to question British authority, and they eventually declared America's independence.