Key people

JOHN ADAMS- A PROMINENT BOSTON LAWYER WHO FIRST BECAME FAMOUS FOR DEFENDING THE BRITISH SOLDIERS ACCUSED OF MURDERING FIVE CIVILIANS IN THE BOSTON MASSACRE. ADAMS WAS A DELEGATE FROM MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESSES, WHERE HE REJECTED PROPOSALS FOR RECONCILIATION WITH BRITAIN. HE SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT TO GEORGE WASHINGTON AND WAS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1797 TO 1801.

SAMUEL ADAMS- SECOND COUSIN TO JOHN ADAMS AND A POLITICAL ACTIVIST. ADAMS WAS A FAILED BOSTONIAN BUSINESSMAN WHO BECAME AN ACTIVIST IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. HE ORGANIZED THE FIRST COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF BOSTON, WHICH COMMUNICATED WITH OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COLONIES, AND WAS A DELEGATE TO BOTH CONTINENTAL CONGRESSES IN 1774 AND 1775.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN- A PHILADELPHIA PRINTER, INVENTOR, AND PATRIOT. FRANKLIN DREW THE FAMOUS “JOIN OR DIE” POLITICAL CARTOON FOR THE ALBANY CONGRESS. HE WAS ALSO A DELEGATE FOR THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AND A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING TO DRAFT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1776.

GEORGE GRENVILLE- PRIME MINISTER OF PARLIAMENT AT THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. GRENVILLE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE NAVIGATION ACT AND FOR PASSING THE SUGAR ACT, STAMP ACT, CURRENCY ACT, AND QUARTERING ACT IN THE MID-1760'S. HE ASSUMED, INCORRECTLY, THAT COLONISTS WOULD BE WILLING TO BEAR A GREATER TAX BURDEN AFTER BRITAIN HAD INVESTED SO MUCH IN PROTECTING THEM FROM THE FRENCH AND NATIVE AMERICANS