Developments in Political Thought and Emerging Leaders Flashcards
What policies did John Locke have that many colonists agreed with?
The Social Contract
Lock stated that the governed entered a social contract with the government. They had to agree to be governed as long as the government protected their rights, liberites and property (which included money). However if the government didn’t do those things (e.g. by setting taxes on people without representation and therefor unlawfully taking their property), the people had a right to overthrow the government.
What did Sam Adams do?
He realised that colonial leaders would need popular support to challenge the British.
He was a radical and an idealist from Boston who was a key rebel leader in the early years. He developed mass protests in Massachusetts, which lead to opposition developing elsewhere.
He was a key figure among the Boston shopkeepers and artisans called the Loyal 9 who attacked supporters of the Stamp Act. These attacks lead to the formation of the Sons of Liberty.
He also played a crucial role is sending the circular letter from the Massachusetts assembly in 1768 denouncing the Townshend Duties, as well as the revival of the Sons of Liberty to oppose them.
In 1771 he formed a committee of correspondence in Boston to inform Massachusetts of colonial grievances. This idea spread throughout the colonies.
Some claim that Adams also played a part in planning the Boston Tea Party and leading the resistance to the Coercive Acts.
What did Thomas Jefferson do?
He was the son of a rich plantation owner in Virginia.
In 1774 he published “A Summary View of the Rights of British America” which was influential in moving people toward independence. He argued that the British shouldn’t be able to exercise authority over America. The next logical step from this thinking is independence. Works such as this was a clear indication that some people were willing to cut ties with Britain now.
What did John Dickinson do?
He was a prominent Pennsylvanian lawyer and politician.
In 1768 he published “Letters of a Pennsylvania Farmer”. This attack on the Townshend duties was influential since it added weight to the claim that parliament didn’t have a right to tax the colonies without consent. He also argued that by closing the New York assembly, Britain was attacking the liberties of the colonists. His article was read by a lot of people, since literacy rates were higher in America than they were in Britain. Men like Sam Adams used his ideas as justification for their actions. However, he doesn’t argue for independence and wants to maintain links with the British crown.
What did John Adams do?
He was a Boston lawyer and also the cousin of Sam Adams, who he collaborated with. After the Boston Massacre, he unpopularly acted as legal defence for the British soldiers. His legal defence meant that lots of the British troops got let off. As a radical he also played a key role in persuading Congress to declare independence.
