ENLIGHTENMENT ANYONE?

Read here what this involves.

Enlightenment.pdf

Enlightenment: A period in the 1700s when a new method of thought was employed. It was a time when great minds awoke and started thinking, affecting the colonies as well as Europe. Some beliefs brought to the forefront were the laws of nature, optimism, confidence in human reason, and deism. 

Deism: most of the religious thinkers during the Enlightenment were deist. The deists believed that God was a clockmaker who created the world but now just watches it work. They believed that we lived in a perfect universe and that the laws created were natural.

merchantilism.pdf

Colonial clothing and the New Man or Woman

These ideas lead to more revolutionary ideas.

PART 3 -THE WAR THAT MADE AMERICA

    There is a common theme to power. The "golden rule" of economics. In other words, he who owns the most gold makes the rules. Most of Europe in the 17th and 18th century practiced "mercantilism" Mercantilism had an impact on Great Britain, and on the different colonies: Economic policy prevailing in Europe said that if government had control over industry and trade that national strength is increased by a majority of exports over imports. The colonies adopted mercantilism as business in which the mother country could benefit. So the question became, who would control the trade, the government, the people, which country?

     The three largest rivals at the beginning of the 18th century were Britain, France, and Spain. The two that fought directly over who would control trade in the North American continent were France and England. The French were devout Catholics, and the English were Anglican and Puritan which added to the rivalry. Eventually, it spilled over into the New World. Who would own what, and who would run the show? With America as a new prospect for growth for both France and Great Britain, tensions grew between the two countries. The result was a series of wars like King William's War, Queen Anne's War, the War of Jenkin's Ear, King George's War, and the French and Indian War (some mentioned below).

Here are some events that finally decided who would have control what in North America?

1. Changes in land Claims of 1689, 1713, 1763: Before 1689 almost all of the land belonged to Spain, and France with Britain only starting to colonize. Then by 1713 France was dominating the North America and Britain was spreading up and down the coast. French were mostly traders and were interested in trade posts and routes, and England wanted the land for a number of reasons including farming. After a war, what Winston Churchill called the first world war, Americans called it the French Indian War, and other countries called the Seven Years War, Britain won the right to became the overwhelming power in North America.

2. Bacon's Rebellion (1675)- a group of Virginia frontiersmen (Nathan Bacon) revolt against the Virginia governor when 1) they refuse to leave their land because the British have promised the Indians that they would not be disturbed 2) the settlers are angry that British troops will not kick the Indians off the land and defend them 3) Bacon and his group almost succeed in toppling the Virginia government showing colonists that they have a right to stand up to the Crown. The group to make their point burned Jamestown to the ground.

3. Differences between French and British colonization: The French mostly had fur traders and posts in North America so they could get goods, they were more inland and made friends with the Indians. The English were there to create a new life, to work the land, to take the land and everything on it. Eventually, they drove all Indians off the land.

4. King George's War (1741-1744): War fought between Britain and France and Spain. It took place not only in Europe but also in North America with American colonists supporting the British with thousands of troops. In the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle Britain gained lands in India (which is why India now had 3 items that made them richer than ever-silk, spices, and tea) but lost Louisburg (eastern seacoast of Canada), which embittered Anglo-American relations.

5. The FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR was also called Seven Years War in England: The French and Indian war was fought between Britain and France and Spain, and the Netherlands, and the list goes on and on. Actually Winston Churchill called this the REAL FIRST WORLD WAR. An explosive war was started by a spark in the Americas and spread to the rest of the world. The "spark" unintentionally was a young surveyor and British officer was sent into the Ohio country to survey the land for the British. Indians and French troops captured the group and sent them back to Virginia. The surveyor, a 22 year old George Washington, was sent back with Virginia militia to work out a deal with the French on how both Britain and France could be part of the territories. Washington erroneously believed that the local Indian tribe were allies. They accompanied him to this point. The French sent ambassadors with several troops, but there was a problem; George Washington did not speak French. When the French were within range, he ordered troops to open fire. A French officer was wounded, and to Washington's surprise, his Indian ally stepped forward and killed the wounded French officer. This was a serious violation of protocol of the 18th century, and when word spread what happened, it was grounds for war. War was declared on the American continent, and was a bloody affair, especially for frontier settlers. The war was fought on land and sea in other locations of the world as well. It lasted from 1754-1760 in the Americas. In reality, the war was over trade and who would control it. The colonies supported Britain and many Indians supported France. France was only interested in trade and furs, not the land itself. Britain came out victoriously with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

   1. Why Great Britain eventually won in the Americas: When William Pitt joined the British leaders, he turned things around. He began to treat the Americans like equals or allies instead of subordinates. This lead Americans to feel a sense of pride and a renewed sense of spirit that sent them into several victories that made France eventually concede. Also, colonists were promised land in the western wilderness if they would join the fight.The British did not honor this promise.

This piece of film on the French-Indian War or the "War that Made America."

CARTOON FOR FRENCH INDIAN WAR.....

 PART 3 B--WAR, WAR EVERYWHERE and Then What??????

In the next segment are the players of the French Indian War.

Edward Braddock: Braddock was the General of all the British Troops (French and Indian War) and Washington's commander. He led an attack against Fort Duquesne, never reaching his destination for they were attacked by the Monongahela River where 900 of his 1200 men were wounded or killed. Braddock was wounded at this battle and died soon afterwards.

Fort Duquesne: This was the fort that General Braddock tried to take during the French and Indian War but he and his troops were slaughtered in an ambush at the Monongahela, where 900 of the 1200 troops were wounded or killed. Later General Amherst captured the fort. George Washington survived.

Wolfe, Montcalm, Quebec- the Plains of Abraham: The battle of the French and Indian War, between General Wolfe and General Montcalm in which both were killed . It ended with the capturing of Quebec and was one of the final steps that lead Montreal to surrender, thus making Canada no longer a threat and soon a part of the British empire.

Land squabbles in North America, where, why and what over: Any of the imperial wars that were fought in North America because Britain knew that if they won, they won more land and power. With the French Indian War, came the Ohio country, Canada, and numerous trade routes. There were also various battles with Indians over pieces of land because colonists pushed their way onto Indian land, not caring if it belonged to them.Treaty of Paris (1763): The Treaty of Paris ended French reign in Canada. The treaty also called for Spain to give Florida to Britain, and for France to give all lands east of the Mississippi River to Britain. French troops must leave the area.

Proclamation of 1763: This proclamation stated that no white settlers could go past the crest of the Appalachians. This upset many colonists who had claims that far west, Britain explained it was only temporary, for it was meant to calm the Indians, and to lessen white expansion. Colonists were angered and the line was moved further west five years later for speculators (people who got rich from selling land). George Washington, one of the people who had fought in the French Indian war who had been promised land for their services, never got it.

Pontiac's Rebellion, 1763: After France had to give up the territory, the Indians were afraid that the British would come in great numbers, take more land and settle permanently. To make sure this didn't happen, Chief Pontiac launched an offensive (killing settlers and frightening others) at Bushy Run. Pontiac's forces won. The British troops were stretched thin and the cost of this war was overwhelming. So for the time being, the British settlers stayed to the east.

Albany Plan of Union, Benjamin Franklin was always thinking about what could be. He proposed a colonial confederation based on each town to have a say but be part of the large whole, known as a Grand Council. This union was used for military defense and Indian policies and set a precedent for later American unity. With Indians taking one side or another (England or France), he felt that united, the colonies stood a better chance.

NOW THE QUESTION BECOMES, WHO WILL PAY FOR ALL THESE WARS? WHO PAYS FOR THE TROOPS BROUGHT TO THE AMERICAN CONTINENT TO PROTECT SETTLERS WHO ARE IN AREAS WHERE THEY SHOULD NOT BE?

    You have heard the story so many times, so many times. The story tells of Patriots, good guys all. These gentlemen saw how good it was to be free, and took up their weapons against those that deprived many of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If this were but true. This is not exactly the case. No, there were so many circumstances that led to war. Not everyone in the colonies saw eye to eye. Should we go to war, should we not, should I be loyal, should I risk all?  

     The Boston Massacre, the first blood spilled over the rights of colonists, happened in 1770, six years before the Declaration of Independence was sent to King George III. In Massachusetts, the most rebellious of the colonies at the time,  citizens were frightened at the prospects of what would happen next,  wondered when this "accursed war would ever end or for that matter ever begin." 

The First Continental Congress, a gathering of delegates from all the colonies, was convened in 1774 to discuss how such matters could be resolved or if they could be resolved. Many delegates from colonies outside Massachusetts could not make themselves say in public that they wished to leave England. After all, most of the British retribution was only in Massachusetts at first. Should the other colonies become involved? This is what the First Continental Congress would have to decide and could not decide. As a consequence, many early soldiers died of smallpox, or cold or lack of food, blankets and clothing or from lack of weapons. Congress could not make up its mind what they should do. Then King George III did all colonist a favor late in 1775. The king issued a proclamation releasing all his royal officers and royal troops to do "what they must to bring the rebellious colonist back into line." If the colonist admitted they were wrong and returned to the crown, the King said, he would welcome them back into the fold. If the colonist did not, they will be hung by the neck till dead. Every delegate of the First Continental Congress, who had ventured to Philadelphia to discuss whether peace could be attainable was now considered a traitor. Ben Franklin said that "surely, we will all therefore hang together or all hang separately." So once the decision was made for a break with Britain, how did the Continental Congress accomplish this and how did they convince others, the common man, to join the fight? Did everyone join the fight for the colonial cause or did some join the fight with the British against their friends and neighbors? Read the cartoon sections below. Take some notes and see how it agrees with your book. >

LEXINGTON AND CONCORD 

 PART 5B:THE EVENTS THAT ADDED TO THE FIRE (New British Policy and Colonial Resistance)

In order to tighten control over the colonies, their trade, and maintain loyalty, Great Britain instated many acts and taxes which enraged colonists who argued that it was unfair to tax them when they had no direct representation in Parliament. Britain argued that the colonies were represented. People in Parliament had all British subjects' well being in mind with everything that they did. The colonists disagreed bitterly (under the Grenville acts). This resistance was the beginning of America's revolt against its mother country.

Writs of assistance 1760: The royal governor of Massachusetts stayed loyal to the mother land,  allowed British revenue officers to use this  writ in order to capture goods imported illegally or for that matter, anything that officials wanted to take.  It was a search warrant allowing officials to enter buildings in which smuggled goods may be. It required no cause (probable cause for search or seizure) for suspicion and homes were often ransacked and sometimes took anything of value. This one act of search and seizure without cause definitely contributed to the Revolution. This act started during the French Indian War. Many of the colonists gave their lives and their property to defend the Crown. So this movement by the British was more than unwelcome.

Grenville's Program--1764: After years of salutary neglect, the British were now interested in enforcing all the Navigation Acts. British Prime Minister George Grenville was the principal architect of the Sugar Act (1764- affected sugar, molasses and rum). Under this Act, evidence could be taken by the authorities about who the British crown considered smugglers. Grenville passed a law truly despised by the colonists called the Stamp Act. Revolt went up from many parts of the colonies that the taxes were unfair because there was no representation as the British Bill of Rights had stated. Grenville back arguing that colonists received virtual representation in Parliament, even though Americans didn't elect members. Every member of Parliament, Britain felt, considered the rights of all subjects; the House of Commons was responsible for protecting the rights of all British and colonists. Because the British elected members, they enjoyed actual representation, but colonists had none. They were however expected to contribute to the taxes that paid the bills. 

 Currency Act, 1764: extended Currency Act, 1751: A Parliamentary act, which was originally applicable only in Massachusetts in 1751, but in 1764, it was applied to all the colonies as a means of raising revenue. This made Britain the controller of all currency, not the colonial governments. It also disallowed the issuance (backing by colonial governments) of colonial money. This meant that if you had a fortune in Virginia Dollars before the Currency Act, this fortune became in some cases somewhat worthless. This also meant that the colonies were controlled totally by the British crown.

Vice-Admiralty courts: Parliament was responsible for this new form of juryless court in Nova Scotia. From 1763 to 1765, when Americans were caught smuggling in violation of the Acts of Trade, They were tried by corrupt judges who received a percentage of the confiscated goods if they found the defendants guilty. With the number of printing presses and readers/writers in colonies, this practice was soon uncovered.

Internal/external taxes- Introduced by the British Parliament in 1765, the Stamp Act was an internal tax, which few colonists could escape, all of the colonists were drastically affected by this tax. An example of an external tax is the Sugar Act passed in 1764, which raised costs only for a select group of people (only the rich could afford sugar, molasses and rum); public opposition to the tax was minute.

STAMP ACT 1765:  British prime minister George Grenville's most detested act, the Stamp Act was introduced in 1765 as a means of raising revenue in the colonies, and was passed by Parliament. It stated that all legal documents, contracts, licenses, pamphlets, and newspapers must carry a stamp that is taxed. It was intended to raise money for keeping up defense in colonies. The colonies, Parliament reasoned, should pay the bill. It infuriated colonists because it was an internal tax that few could escape. Opposition to the Stamp Act led to formation of the Stamp Act Congress. This was one of the first time that many important leaders of the colonies came together for a common purpose.

Stamp Act Congress, 1765: This was an assembly of delegates from nine of the original thirteen colonies in 1765 which was intended to protest the Stamp Act. This is the first time that delegates met to protest British practices.  They met in New York City and presented the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, but the group's demand for no taxation without representation was refused by the House of Commons.

Virginia Resolves: American leader Patrick Henry in 1763 became a member of the House of Burgess where he introduced seven resolutions against the Stamp Act persuading the Virginia House of Burgess to state their opposition to taxation (without representation) in 1765. The House adopted several resolutions which refuted the power of Parliament to tax the colonies. Henry's fiery orations (speeches) caused, by the end of the year, eight other colonies to also denounce taxation and declare rights.

Revenue Act: Parliament passed the Revenue taxes in 1767. The Act taxed glass, paint, lead, paper, paint, and tea. In colonial opinion, it was just like the Stamp Act in that, though it was said to be an external tax, it was still put into effect solely to raise revenue for the British treasury. It further angered colonial resentment to Charles Townshend.

No Taxation Without Representation: John Adams, in his Circular Letter, in 1768, openly criticized Parliament's practice of taxation without proper colonial representation. It was said that no tax that was issued in order to produce revenue for Great Britain was  not constitutional because American representatives had not voted to allow the tax. WORDS, THEN AS NOW, WERE IMPORTANT AND CHANGED THE COURSE OF ACTIONS. 

SONS OF LIBERTY: Members included Samuel Adams and Paul Revere; it was a secret society of patriots which was organized in 1765 in the colonies. They formed a Committee of Correspondence to defend themselves against British actions. One of the actions they took was to adopt a policy of non-importation in which merchants refused to import goods sent from Great Britain. They also participated in terrorizing the stamp distributors through house-wrecking and tar-and-feathering in order to achieve respect.

Daughters of Liberty: Upper class female patriots who formed a union in 1765 in order to give aid to the cause of defeating the reviled Stamp Act. They proved their value to the cause both by attending political rallies and protests and also by refusing association with men who were Loyalists, however, they ultimately played a small rolE.

Boston Massacre, 1770: With the increase of British troops in the Boston area, tensions rose. Many of the troops were poor boys, who took extra jobs for low wages when off duty. So more and more Boston citizens were without work and more resentment began to brew between the British and the colonists. British troops, (which were resumed in the city in 1770 in order to discourage opposition to the Townshend Acts), when hit by hecklers wielding clubs, rocks and oyster shells within the crowd, opened fire upon the crowd; five men were killed. Eight soldiers were tried for murder; their attorney was John Adams. Many were acquitted and anti-British feelings rose. Only two soldiers were given any punishment for the incident. They had their thumbs branded.

Committees of Correspondence: They were colonial groups in 1772 which were organized to form resistance to British tyranny by using letters and the printing press. The Boston town meeting, one such committee, made up a 21 member "To state the Rights of Colonists and of this Province in Particular." This committee became a major political force responsible for the Boston Tea Party.

Non-consumption: The Sons of Liberty began the idea of non-consumption in 1774 with their vow of non-importation of British goods. When the Boston Port Bill was passed, colonists once again agreed to ban all British goods in order to boycott the British until demands were met. Because of this, state or individual opposition was despised.

Non-importation: There existed, between many of the colonial merchants, an agreement to not import any British goods until the Townshend acts were repealed. When the tea tax was kept, they were unsure whether or not to keep the boycott going. When non-importation collapsed, the Sons of Liberty agreed not to consume British tea in protest.

Right of revolution:  In John Lock's Two Treatises of Government, written in 1690, it is stated that "It is a state of perfect freedom [for man] to do as they wish and dispose of themselves and their possessions." He claims that any person has the right to revolt if the government does not fulfill its duties. His ideas led to the Declaration of Independence.

The Association: The First Continental Congress agreed to this "association," which was a simple sort of agreement in 1774. It was formed in response to anger over the recently passed Tea Act. Members pledged not to import, export, or consume products of Britain unless their demands were met. This led to increased hostility toward the colonists.

TOWNSHEND ACTS, REACTION: Under the control of British Prime Minister Charles Townshend, Parliament passed these measures in 1767. The first called for suspension of the New York Assembly because it would not abide by the Quartering Act. The Revenue Act called for customs duties on imports of glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. As a result of unrest over these acts, the Massachusetts legislature was dissolved. Colonial reaction was that of further discontent toward their motherland.

Repeal of the Townshend Acts except tax on tea: Lord North, in a Parliamentary act in 1770, wanted to eliminate the Townshend duties due to increased hostility against the British and to keep the boycott from gaining momentum. However, he still recommended they maintain the tea tax, because it was profitable for the Royal Treasury in Great Britain. He also got a nice share of the East India Tea Company. Customs commissioners in Boston requested an armed force for protection and the government dispatched the Romney, an armed frigate to Boston in June, 1768.

Tea Act: The Parliamentary Tea Act eliminated import duties entering England, lowering the selling price to consumers, also allowing selling directly to consumers, hurting middlemen. Colonial smuggling was very harmful to the East India Company which had held a monopoly on tea. The act provided savings for Britain. The tea business was just that, a monopoly. So the tea that reached the Americas was of poor quality. Any tea brought by others was considered smuggling. The shipment of tea often took months in transit, if not years to reach the destination. So many as they entered the harbor, found out that they were smuggling contraband. If they paid taxes on the tea, they would be admitting that they had broken the law intentional or not. One such colonist who owned such ships was John Hancock. John Hancock's ship Liberty was seized.  When told that a customs official had been locked up, while John Hancock unloaded without paying the duty, the Liberty was seized. This led to further discontent towards Britain.

BOSTON TEA PARTY: A group of Boston citizens organized a protest on December 16, 1773, which was against the British tax on tea imported to the colonies. They also were furious that British officials had begun to take American ships that they considered illegal. The citizens were angry and disallowed three British ships to unload their cargo in Boston. Led by Samuel Adams and members of the Sons of Liberty, the group, disguised as Indians boarded the ships and dumped all the tea into Boston Harbor in protest. The American government later refused to pay for the tea (equivalent of several million dollars) and was punished through closure of the ports.

COERCIVE ACTS also known as the INTOLERABLE ACTS:  

Passed by the British Parliament, several laws were composed in 1774 in response to colonial rebellion. The Boston Tea Party was the last straw leading to the passage of these harsh acts as measures against the colony of Massachusetts. The five measures passed were to serve as warnings to the rest of the colonies. They included the

1. Boston Port Act closed the port of Boston and put many out of work , the Massachusetts Government Act, the Quartering Act, and the Administration of Justice Act. Americans united in sympathy for Massachusetts.

2.The Quartering Acts= was established on March 24, 1765. The King sent British troops, as an army of occupation, to Boston. The colonists had to house and feed the British troops. They had to feed and provide for the soldiers. If the colonists didn't do this for the British troops, they would get shot.  It effectively served to further punish the colonists. Basically, it allowed for much-hated British officers to be permitted to requisition empty, private buildings. Property was no longer private, and taken with due process. All resistance was repressed by this blatant attempt to force troops in.

3. The Administration of Justice Act became effective May 20, 1774. British Officials could not be tried in colonial courts for crimes. They would be taken back to Britain and have a trial there. That left the British free to do whatever they wanted in the colonies and to the Colonists. They claimed that they could not get a fair trial in Massachusetts, even though the British soldiers had been acquitted in the Boston Massacre.

4. Massachusetts Government Act became effective on May 20, 1774. The British Governor was in charge of all the town meetings in Boston. There would no more self-government in Boston. Parliament passed this act in 1774 as the second of the Townshend Acts which revoked the Massachusetts charter and restructured the government. The Governor gained control over naming sheriffs, who, in turn, gained control over jurymen. The number of Massachusetts town meetings were also reduced.The Quebec Act was established on May 20, 1774, This bill extended the Canadian borders to cut off the western colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Virginia.

5. Quebec Act Parliament passed this greatly detested law which established Roman-Catholicism as the official religion in Quebec, making Protestants angry. Also, Canada's government was awarded an abundance of powers, but was in turn, given no legislature. The law also extended Quebec's 1774 land claims, further angering colonist. 

PART 5C-

WHO IS WHO IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT?

GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799)- George Washington was born on February 11, 1732, but in 1751, Great Britain changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. An act of Parliament added eleven days to make the adjustment complete and in 1752 Washington celebrated his birthday on February 22!

Washington's father died when the boy was 11. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON: Born in 1743 (and died the same day as John Adams (July 4, 1826), Jefferson was what author Joseph Ellis called "the American Sphinx". He truly was a riddle in many respects. He wrote "All men are created equal, but yet owned slaves, did not believe that Blacks were equal academically or physically to whites, did not believe women were included, nor did he believe that non-property owners should have the right to vote. He was a perfect example of an Enlightenment man, constantly curious over science and philosophical endeavors. He read the ancients as if they were letters from the past speaking to him and his fellow citizens.  He read constantly, owned the colonies largest private library and attended the College of William and Mary outside Richmond.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)- Born the 15th of a candle maker's 17 children, Franklin truly became a man of the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution. Forced to work as a printer for his step-brother, and later ran away to be on his own. 

He became a printer in Philadelphia. Highly successful in multiple endeavors, Franklin was able to retire in 1748. He then became highly interested in science and politics. Franklin opposed the Stamp Act and protested against it. In 1764, he became Pennsylvania's business representative to England. In 1775, he came back to the Americas. He sat on the committee to write the Declaration of Independence. Eventually, he helped write the draft the Peace treaty between England and America. 

John Adams (1735-1826): was one of the first men to propose American independence when the Revolution began. He was the last man that one would expect to do this always looking at the law. Moreover, he served on the Committee on Independence (First Continental Congress), and also helped persuade the Second Continental Congress to adopt the Declaration of Independence. In Congress and in diplomatic missions abroad, he served the patriot cause.John Adams was the son of a shoe maker and country minister and his mother was illiterate. John was the cousin of Sam Adams another Patriot. John's father sent him at first to Harvard to be a minister, but John liked to fight too much. So he felt that he would be better

suited to the law.  He met Abagail Smith from a very good New England family and the two fell in love. Soon they married. John began a thriving law practice in Boston. One of his first major cases was to defend Sam Adams on charges of not collecting taxes correctly. John did not believe in bending the law, and his cousin did many things that were considered illegal. John defended him and Sam was acquitted. John was the lawyer for the soldiers who were tried for murder in the Boston Massacre in 1770. He successfully defended his clients in defense that they were trying to protect their own lives. He additionally denounced the Stamp Act, analyzed the demands facing the colonists and urged the colonists to protest "no taxation without representation." He  was a member of both Continental Congresses and help to draft the Declaration of Independence.

Abigail Adams: Abigail was true American hero. She stayed with her children without her husband there to help her. She knew that at any time, the British could show up, and kill her and her family. She wrote her husband John on an almost daily basis, urging him on, encouraging him and the other patriots.   She worked the farm like a man, made sure there was enough to eat and educated her children.  

     Even though she had a scarce formal education, she was among the most influential women of her day, particularly as a leader of fashion and social mediator. She was the first lady of John Adams' presidency, and mother of John Quincy Adams, also president. Also, she challenged the lack of equality for women and was a strong advocate of the Revolutionary War.

SAM ADAMS (1722-1803): Sam failed at many things that he did, except organize men to protest in Boston. He had been a tax collector and when his books were checked, he was 7,000 ₤ short. His cousin John defended him and had the fees greatly reduced. He was an outspoken advocate of the Sugar Act, and served on the General Court of Massachusetts in 1765. Moreover, he was a main proponent of opposition to the Townshend Acts and a key figure in the formation of the Sons of Liberty. Starting a movement for an uprising against the Boston Massacre, he led several other angry colonists in the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Due to his constant agitation, Adams contributed to the movement for revolution. 

   Patrick Henry (1736-1799): He was an orator and statesman who played a key role in igniting patriotism and leading the colonists toward the American Revolution.  He is famous for his comment "Give me liberty or give me death." He also told the Virginian legislature that he was no longer a "Virginian but an American."

ALEXANDER HAMILTON (1757-1804) Born to a single mother in the Caribbean, Alexander Hamilton lived the American Dream and became one of the most powerful men in the colonies. Hamilton became George Washington's personal aide during the Revolution. He married into a very rich family, and was very much in favor of a UNITED States in which the Federal Government would be more powerful. Hamilton became the first Secretary of the Treasury and was in favor of uniting all states debts incurred during the American Revolution in order to give the United States some credit worldwide. Without it, Hamilton realized, no foreign power would trade with the new country and all states would be vulnerable to foreign attack. The British were still in the north and western borders, the French in the Midwest, and the Spanish in the South and West. Hamilton believed in mercantilism. In other words, he who has the gold makes the rules. 

      Thomas Jefferson thought that Hamilton was scum, and often had words with him (see clip at the bottom of the page). Jefferson believed that states should maintain their power and that the federal government should be as small as possible. The President should have limited powers (Strangely enough, Jefferson reversed this during his presidency and doubled the size of the nation). And that Hamilton was poison for the new nation that so many had given up their lives for. Alexander and his followers would have the President soon become king...

Alexander Hamilton had affairs with other wives and was the target of much hatred. Tyranny according to Jefferson was right around the corner with Alexander Hamilton as a leader.

Aaron Burr, the Vice President of the United States, challenged Hamilton's honor and they met on a field for a duel. Hamilton shot and missed, Burr did not and Hamilton was dead. His ideas about the economy and government were not dead, and are still fought over to this day. 

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was an interesting character. He was English and introduced by Benjamin Franklin to Americans through his writing. He wrote a pamphlet that motivated the common man to join the fight against England. He pointed out the economic reasons why England was no longer a country that should rule the Americas.  Common Sense: Thomas Paine published this in January 1776, which called for immediate independence. Although its arguments were extreme, it had much influence in favor of independence. Combined with the Prohibitory Act (Intolerable Acts), it convinced many Americans that the British had every intention to carry out a full scale war. 

RICHARD HENRY LEE

PAUL REVERE (1735-1818)

JOHN PAUL JONES (1747-1792):

United States Captain John Paul Jones attacked the British territory, which raised American morale and prestige. He also led the famous ship, Bonhomme Richard, against Britain's ship, the Serapis, in which the war was brought to England's shores, boosting American morale and credibility.

ETHAN ALLEN (1738-1789)

Baron Friedrich von Steuben

A former Prussian army officer who served in the Seven Years War (French Indian War) with distinction was persuaded to volunteer to help Washington with his ragtag troops. Washington was happy to get the  help where he could get it.

HORATIO GATES (1728-1806)-

Benedict Arnold: He led one of the Continental Armies into Canada but was defeated. A fervent patriot, he wanted to be known as a hero. With 400 men, he attacked Fort Ticonderoga in April of 1775, along with Ethan Allen, who raised an army for the same purpose, but without any success. At about the same time, he married a beautiful woman who was a British sympathizer. When Arnold was not given the command that he wanted, he secretly sold his talents to the British and was about ready to sell the keys to West Point, an American outpost to Britain. The plot was discovered and Arnold escaped. Through the remainder of the war, he served as a British officer fighting the very men he had stood next to, and shortly before the end of the war, moved to England with his family. He was considered by most Americans to be a traitor. 

Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) Young French officer who lent talents and money to the American cause.

Governor Thomas Hutchinson of Mass.: A colonial governor, he opposed taxes that harmed U.S. trade, but still supported Britain's right to impose taxes. When the Stamp Act controversy was in effect, his home was ransacked in 1765. In 1773, he refused to allow British ships to be returned without unloading. The price of tea was greatly reduced to sell, but Governor Hutchinson's son owned a large share of the tea to be sold. The Sons of Liberty rebelled and the Boston Tea party resulted. Other port cities had tea parties of their own or refused to buy the tea which sat in warehouses. King George realized that the dye was cast. War was inevitable.

Lord North: He was a British member of the House of Commons during the 1770s. Under the orders of King George III, he taxed Americans, though he found it morally wrong to do so. By 1776, he demanded an early peace with the Americans hoping to put an end to the Revolutionary War. By 1779, he realized the war was a lost cause.