George Washington
George Washington commanded the Continental Army in the American Revolution. In 1776 he became the lead Military Role, and first took over political stands against the British Parliament. His devotion to republicanism and civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians. Although he expressed opposition to the 1765 Stamp Act, the first direct tax on the colonies, he did not take a leading role in the growing colonial resistance until protests of the Townshend Acts (enacted in 1767) became widespread. |
“Sons of Liberty”
This was a secret, underground, organization, that was founded in July 1765 by Samuel Adams and John Hancock. These two Boston men, were opposed to the Stamp Act, and spread their beliefs to many Colonial towns. This group’s purpose was to force all of the British Stamp Agents, to resign, therefore permanently stopping the printed documents from being distributed. Lastly, this would discontinue American merchants from ordering British trade goods. |
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin was a major role in helping the American Colonists state their reasoning towards Britain. He helped stop the stamp act (1765) by telling the British that the Americans would never pay taxes, then later he joined the Continental Congress to decide what to do about the war and its outcome. In 1776 he co-wrote the Declaration of Independence. Trying to share his beliefs, he wrote many pamphlets promoting union among the colonies. |
Thomas Jefferson
Mr. Jefferson was an American Founding Father and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776). Jefferson was one of the youngest delegates for the Continental Congress. Later, he would become Minister to France, and then George Washington’s Secretary of State. These positions lead to becoming the third President of the United States. |
John Adams
John Adams was one of the five people who was asked to write the Declaration of Independence. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Later, he served as a diplomat who settled the Peace Treaty with Britain. He became Vice-President under George Washington’s Presidency, then years later, served as the second President of the United States. |
Boston Massacre
On March 5th, 1770, a group of Boston Colonists, taunted British Military groups, who fiercely retaliated by killing four members. Quickly this news spread throughout the Colonies. Colonists grew angrier, and as a result, Great Britain removed most of the taxes they had enacted on the Colonies. However, the only tax they did not remove was on all imported tea. |
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party took place on December 16th, 1773. It was a non-violent action against the British Government and the monopolistic East India Company. This company controlled all the tea coming in and out of the American Colonies. The colonists took a charge with their actions of throwing all of the tea into the Boston Harbor. This non-violent political protest was an act of the Sons of Liberty. |
Stamp Act
In 1765, the British Government activated a movement known as the Stamp Act. This meant that anything printed on paper legally needed a stamp. The proceeds went entirely to the English Government. Colonists hated this, feeling they should receive a portion of the proceeds, so their frustration grew. |
Intolerable Acts
These acts were laws that were put upon the Colonies by King George the third. This was a consequence for the outcome of the Boston Tea Party, which was held by the Political Colonists. There were five main acts portrayed upon the Colonists. These acts were key to the outbreak of the American Revolution, as they brought anger to the Colonists. |
Quebec Act
In 1774, the British Government set out procedures of Governance, in the French Colony of Quebec. This act was designed mainly to win the loyalty of the French in the Province. It was also made to prevent, them from rebelling along with the other Colonies. The goal of the British Government was to not engage the French Colony in the rebellion with the other Colonies. |