Meaning a passion for arms, the rage militaire characterized the attitudes of American colonists as the war with Great britain began in 1775. When the ravages and deprivations of warfare became more self evident, however, this early enthusiasm gave out. In 1776 Thomas Paine criticized the "summer soldiers and sunshine patriots" among the colonists who seemed so eager to fight at the beginning of the War for Independence but who so quickly dropped out as the dangers of engaging in warfare increased.