Key Political Figures

Question 1

Samuel Adams 1722-1807

Answer 1

Leading centre of resistance
Believed GB ruling elite were corrupt
Important in developing mass protest in Massachusetts
Key figure in the loyal nine
Played a crucial role in the sending of the circular letter by the Massachusetts assembly which denounced the Townshend duties
Played an important role in planning and directing the Boston tea party and in leading opposition to the intolerable acts

Question 2

John Dickinson 1732-1808

Answer 2

Pennsylvanian lawyer and politician
Published ‘letter of a Pennsylvanian farmer’ which emerged him as a prominent leader of opposition
The letter attacked the Townshend duties and was influential in adding to the claim that parliament did not have the right to tax colonists without their consent
Also argued parliament were attacking colonists liberties by suspending the New York assembly
His writings encouraged other writers to attack GB parliament and was justifications of the acts of men like Samuel Adams

Question 3

Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826

Answer 3

Son of rich Virginian planter and became most famous as the principle author of the Declaration of Independence
Before he had published ‘ A summary of the rights of British America’ which was influential in moving many towards the idea of independence
In this Jefferson argued that the British had no right to exercise authority over colonies

Question 4

John Adams 1735-1826

Answer 4

Boston lawyer- cousin of Samuel Adams
Rose to prominence through his actions post Boston Massacre- he acted as the legal defence for the British soldiers involved
At continental congress he became more widely known as he played a leading role in persuading the congress to declare independence

Question 5

Thomas Paine 1737-1809

Answer 5

English radical who arrived in America in 1774
His pamphlet ‘Common Sense’ hade huge impact selling over 100k copies very quickly
Paine had attacked the English constitution and the idea of hereditary monarchy and privilege
This convinced many Americans who had feared breaking ties with GB that it was the only way to stop the abuse of their liberties
It was Paine who encouraged Americans to establish a republic

Question 6

Benjamin Franklin

Answer 6

Served in the second continental congress
Helped draft the declaration of independence
Negotiated the 1783 treaty of Paris
Proposed Albany plan of Union