Colonists Unite and Important Figures Revolutionary War

Britain Reacts to Boston Tea Party Britain is furious with the Bostonians for the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre and decide to punish them. The Coercive Acts: the Boston ports are closed to trade until the colonists paid for the destroyed tea, including the tax. The British also increase the power of the governor. To enforce these measures, the British sent warships and troops to Boston.

The Intolerable Acts Boston port is closed Colonists are forced to house British troops Allowed British officials to be tried in Britain for crimes committed in the colonies Why would this anger the colonists? Quebec Act extends Canada’s southern border, cutting off lands claimed by several colonies.

The Colonists React Colonists are horrified and rejected the idea that the British could shut down trade and change colonial governments at will In Massachusetts, people reacted in violence. Armed with weapons, they force courts to shut down, assault anyone who accepted an office under the governor or spoke in favor of obeying Parliament Tar and feather as punishment= humiliating/painful

Colonists attack, tar, and feather a tax collector

First Continental Congress Fall 1774, delegates from every colony except Georgia meet in Philadelphia. To pressure Parliament to withdraw the Coercive Acts, the delegates announce a boycott of British imports. Patriots established local committees to enforce the boycotts. The Patriots established new governments that bypassed Parliament and the Crown. By including common shopkeepers, artisans, and farmers, the committees expanded the ranks of the politically active.

Important Figures of the Revolution

Patrick Henry “Give me liberty of give me death.” Attorney, planter, and politician who became a Founding Father Led the opposition to the Stamp Act Virginia delegate to the First Continental Congress He declared “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorks, and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American”

John Adams “Fear is the foundation of most governments.” Statesman, diplomat, and leader for independence Had decided by 1774 that he already lived in a new country named America. Delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress and played a leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence. Assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence. Ends up becoming the first VP and second President of the US

Paul Revere “The British are coming, the British are coming.” Rode from Charlestown to Lexington, Mass. On April 18, 1775 to warn the countryside of approaching British troops Warned John Hancock and Samuel Adams to escape Captured on his ride

Samuel Adams “It does not take a majority to prevail…but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” Most vocal of his generation to demand independence from Britain Founder and major player in the Sons of Liberty Attended First Continental Congress and Second Continental Congress as a delegate from Boston Signed the “Declaration of Independence” Responsible for getting the American people started on the road to independence and keeping them there

Thomas Paine “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Throughout most of his life his writings inspired passion but also brought him great criticism Communicated the ideas of the Revolution to common farmers as easily as to intellectuals Wrote “Common Sense”

George Washington “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” French and Indian War Second Continental Congress as a delegate from Virginia and elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army April 30 th 1789: Took his oath of office as the first President of the United States

Thomas Jefferson “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.” Contributed his pen rather than his voice to the patriot cause At the age of 33 he drafted the Declaration of Independence 1796 came within three votes of winning the Presidential election. He became VP although an opponent of President Adams Died on July 4, 1836 What is the coincidence?