DOCSLIB.ORG

The Sons of Liberty

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Sons of Liberty The Sons Of Liberty The Sons of Liberty - They were a well organized secret political organization in the American Colonies that protested against British taxes and laws before the American Revolution. The group was established to undermine British rule. The Sons of Liberty had chapters in all thirteen colonies by the time the revolution began. Members The Sons of Liberty attracted members from all walks of colonial life such as lawyers, dockworkers, farmers, doctors, tavern owners, traders, and publishers. The British sometimes referred to them as the "Sons of Violence" and “Sons Of Iniquity” in hopes of giving them a bad reputation. The Leaders Samuel Adams - He was the founder and a leader of the Sons Of Liberty based in Boston. John Adams - He was a leader of the Sons Of Liberty based in Massachusetts. Patrick Henry - He was a leader of the Sons Of Liberty based in Virginia. John Hancock, James Otis, Paul Revere and Joseph Warren - They were all leaders of the Sons Of Liberty in Boston. The Sons Of" Liberty Flag In 1767 - The Sons of Liberty adopted a five red and four white vertical striped flag as their organization’s formal standard. It eventually had nine stripes and then thirteen stripes based on the number of colonies joining the protest. When the Sons of Liberty flag was raised on the Liberty Tree or Liberty Pole, it was a sign for all the Sons of Liberty and other supportive townspeople to meet and discuss their complaints about British rule. The Sons of Liberty Flag was known as the "Rebellious Stripes" Their Purpose The Purpose of the Sons of Liberty - The objective and purpose of the Sons of Liberty was to force all of the British stamp agents to resign and also stop many American merchants from ordering British trade goods. Secret Meetings The Sons of Liberty arranged secret meetings so they would not get arrested by British soldiers. In Boston, they met under an elm tree in Hanover Square that was called the "Liberty Tree." During the siege of Boston, a party of Loyalists cut the Liberty tree down in an act of spite, knowing what it represented to the colonists, and used the tree for firewood. In New York, they would signal the location by building a tall pole called a "Liberty Pole." A constant battle was waged in New York City over Liberty Poles. The Sons of the Liberty would put them up and British soldiers would tear them down. As a result, the Liberty Pole became a symbol of the colonists' freedom. How They Formed In 1765 - The Sons of Liberty formed out of a number of smaller protest groups in response to the Stamp Act. Their motto was, “No taxation without representation.” The first groups were likely formed in Boston, New York and Connecticut. The Boston Massacre In 1768 - British troops had been sent to Boston to maintain order, protect the customs officers and to enforce the Townshend Acts. March 5, 1770 - The Boston Massacre was an incident that occurred on when British soldiers, who were quartered in the city, fired into a rioting mob killing five American civilians. The Boston Massacre arose from the resentment of Boston colonists towards the British which had been fueled by protest activities of the Sons of Liberty patriots. First Actions The first major action of the Sons of Liberty was to protest the Stamp Act. They took direct action by harassing the stamp tax distributors who worked for the British government. The distributors became so scared of the Sons of Liberty that many of them quit their jobs. They also gathered in large groups and protested in the streets. Their protests worked and the tax was soon repealed by the British government. Andrew Oliver August 14, 1765 - The Sons of Liberty gathered under the “Liberty Tree”. They took down an effigy, a sign, and burned it that had been posted by Andrew Oliver, a proponent of the Stamp Act. They then went to the home of Andrew Oliver and tore down the fence, smashed windows, destroyed furniture furnishings destroyed and looted his home. August 17, 1765 - Oliver publicly resigned his commission. December 17, 1765 - the Sons of Liberty made him publicly swear an oath he would never again serve as a stamp master. Thomas" Hutchinson The Sons of Liberty next targeted the brother-in-law of Andrew Oliver, Thomas Hutchinson, the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Justice of Massachusetts. August 15, 1765 - The Sons of Liberty and others blockaded the home of Hutchinson and demanded he denounce the Stamp Act in his official letters to London. Hutchinson refused. August 26, 1765 - A mob organized by the Sons of Liberty attacked Hutchinson’s mansion. They destroyed and looted the home and gardens. The Gaspee Affair June 9, 1772 - The Gaspee Affair occurred when the HMS Gaspee, a British customs ship, ran aground in Rhode Island and a Sons of Liberty group attacked and set fire to the ship. The British Government threatened to send the perpetrators for trial in England, but no arrests were made. However, the British threat to send Americans to trial in England sparked alarmed protests in the colonies. Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773 - The Boston Tea Party was orchestrated and carried out by the Sons Of Liberty and led by Samuel Adams. It was a direct protest by colonists against the Tea Tax that had been imposed by the British government. Boston patriots raided three British ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 containers of tea into the harbor. The Boston Tea Party was fueled by protest activities by patriots in the Sons of Liberty organization. After The War The Sons of Liberty as an organization disbanded at the close of the American Revolution. It was replaced as a political entity early in the Revolution by the more formal and qualified Committees of Safety which was chaired by John Hancock. Committees of Safety - It formed to keep watch of and act upon events pertaining to the public welfare. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Unit 2 Guide
    AP US History Unit 2 Study Guide “Salutary Neglect” Enlightenment terms to remember Balance of trade Philosophes Mercantilism John Locke Tariffs Tabula rasa Navigation Acts Social Contract Natural Rights Montesquieu Benjamin Franklin French and Indian War Ft. Duquesne Relative advantages (Brit./France) Gov. Dinwiddie The Great Expulsion (1755-63) George Washington William Pitt, Sr. The Brave Old Hendrick Battle of the Plains of Abraham Albany Plan for Union Treaty of Paris, 1763 Pontiac´s Rebellion Discontent Proclamation Line of 1763 John Dickinson Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer East Florida, West Florida, Quebec Boston Massacre Sugar Act (1764) Samuel Adams Admiralty courts John Adams Virtual representation Gaspee incident (1772) Stamp Act (1765) Committees of Correspondence Stamp Act Congress Tea Act of 1773 Patrick Henry British East India Co. "Sons of Liberty" Boston Tea Party Quartering Act Quebec Act, 1774 Declaratory Act Coercive (Intolerable) Acts Townshend Duties (1767) First Continental Congress Massachusetts General Court’s Circular Letter (1768) War of Independence Lexington and Concord Battle of Saratoga Second Continental Congress Alliance of 1778 General Washington Netherlands and Spain Olive Branch Petition Valley Forge Battle of Bunker Hill Privateers and the “Law of the Sea” Three-phases of the war League of Armed Neutrality, 1780 Thomas Paine’s Common Sense John Paul Jones Declaration of Independence Yorktown Thomas Jefferson Newburgh Conspiracy Loyalists Sir George Rodney, Battle of Saints, 1782 Hudson Valley Campaign
    [Show full text]
  • A Case Study of Samuel Adams and Thomas Hutchinson
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Supervised Undergraduate Student Research Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects and Creative Work Spring 5-2007 Reputation in Revolutionary America: A Case Study of Samuel Adams and Thomas Hutchinson Elizabeth Claire Anderson University of Tennessee - Knoxville Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_chanhonoproj Recommended Citation Anderson, Elizabeth Claire, "Reputation in Revolutionary America: A Case Study of Samuel Adams and Thomas Hutchinson" (2007). Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_chanhonoproj/1040 This is brought to you for free and open access by the Supervised Undergraduate Student Research and Creative Work at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Elizabeth Claire Anderson Bachelor of Arts 9lepu.tation in ~ Unwtica: a ~e studq- oj Samuel a.dartt;., and g fuun.a:, !JtulcIiUu,on 9JetIi~on !lWWuj ~ g~i6, Sp~ 2007 In July 1774, having left British America after serving terms as Lieutenant- Governor and Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson met with King George III. During the conversation they discussed the treatment Hutchinson received in America: K. In such abuse, Mf H., as you met with, I suppose there must have been personal malevolence as well as party rage? H. It has been my good fortune, Sir, to escape any charge against me in my private character. The attacks have been upon my publick conduct, and for such things as my duty to your Majesty required me to do, and which you have been pleased to approve of.
    [Show full text]
  • Continental Congress
    Acts What they did . Writs of Assistance allowed customs (British) officers to search any location for smuggled goods (especially ships) . Stamp Act taxed all printed material; newspapers, pamphlets, playing cards, and wills (Colonists rioted and boycotted British goods, smuggling) “ No taxation without Representation” British Acts Acts What they did Townshend Acts Tax on glass, tea, paper, lead (imported goods) Boycott of British Goods – Nonimportation Agreement Tea Act Law that let British East India Company bypass merchants to sell directly to colonists (Britain had excess tea that was not being purchased and they needed to get rid of it) Quartering Act Housing British troops http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/dp/original/DP827936.jpg Boston Massacre • Redcoats set up camp in Boston to support the tax collectors who were being threatened by colonists • Redcoats acted rudely and violently • They were poor so they often stole from colonists • March 5, 1770 • Bostonians and Redcoats argue • Bostonians moved through the streets to the Customs House • British soldiers panic • A shot is fired • 5 Bostonians lay dead • Soldiers were arrested and tried for murder. • John Adams was the lawyer who defended them Boston Tea Party Because of the tea act, East India Company’s tea was cheaper than any other tea. The colonists again boycotted British goods to show their dislike of British tea control. Boston Tea Party Colonists in Boston and Philadelphia planned to stop the company’s ships from unloading. In all colonial ports except Boston, colonists forced the company’s ships to return to Britain. Boston Tea Party In Boston Harbor in December 1773, the royal governor ordered the tea unloaded.
    [Show full text]
  • The SAR Colorguardsman
    The SAR Colorguardsman National Society, Sons of the American Revolution Vol. 5 No. 1 April 2016 Patriots Day Inside This Issue Commanders Message Reports from the Field - 11 Societies From the Vice-Commander Waxhaws and Machias Old Survivor of the Revolution Color Guard Commanders James Barham Jr Color Guard Events 2016 The SAR Colorguardsman Page 2 The purpose of this Commander’s Report Magazine is to o the National Color Guard members, my report for the half year starts provide in July 2015. My first act as Color Guard commander was at Point interesting TPleasant WVA. I had great time with the Color Guard from the near articles about the by states. My host for the 3 days was Steve Hart from WVA. Steve is from my Home town in Maryland. My second trip was to South Carolina to Kings Revolutionary War and Mountain. My host there was Mark Anthony we had members from North Car- information olina and South Carolina and from Georgia and Florida we had a great time at regarding the Kings Mountain. Went home for needed rest over 2000 miles on that trip. That activities of your chapter weekend was back in the car to VA and the Tomb of the Unknown. Went home to get with the MD Color Guard for a trip to Yorktown VA for Yorktown Day. and/or state color guards Went back home for events in MD for Nov. and Dec. Back to VA for the Battle of Great Bridge VA. In January I was back to SC for the Battle of Cowpens - again had a good time in SC.
    [Show full text]
  • The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Acquires Rare Paul Revere Tankard
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contacts: Robyn Liverant for the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg 212.472.6947 or [email protected] THE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION ACQUIRES RARE PAUL REVERE TANKARD * Williamsburg, VA (August 17, 2021)—The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has added to its renowned American and British silver collection a rare tankard made ca. 1795 by America’s best-known colonial silversmith, Paul Revere (1734-1818) of Boston, Massachusetts. Originally used as communal drinking vessels, tankards are among the largest forms produced in Revere’s shop. Approximately three dozen Revere tankards are known, and this one is typical of those from the 1790s, with tapering sides, midband, tall domed lid and pinecone form finials. “Colonial Williamsburg has long sought a significant example of Revere’s work,” said Ronald L. Hurst, the Foundation’s Carlisle H. Humelsine chief curator and vice president for museums, preservation and historic resources. “With its impressive size, fine detail, and excellent condition, this tankard fills a significant void in our American silver holdings.” A beloved American patriot, Revere is well known for his activities during the Revolutionary War. Widely recognized as an exceptional colonial silversmith, Revere also engraved prints and bookplates, ran an import business, established a bell and cannon foundry and started the first successful copper rolling mills in the new nation. Many of the objects made in his silver shop are well documented today due to the survival of his record books. Colonial Williamsburg’s Revere tankard stands nearly 10 inches tall and holds 48 ounces of liquid (usually wine, ale or cider), making it weighty to lift when full.
    [Show full text]
  • The Stamp Act and Methods of Protest
    Page 33 Chapter 8 The Stamp Act and Methods of Protest espite the many arguments made against it, the Stamp Act was passed and scheduled to be enforced on November 1, 1765. The colonists found ever more vigorous and violent ways to D protest the Act. In Virginia, a tall backwoods lawyer, Patrick Henry, made a fiery speech and pushed five resolutions through the Virginia Assembly. In Boston, an angry mob inspired by Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty destroyed property belonging to a man rumored to be a Stamp agent and to Lt. Governor Thomas Hutchinson. In New York, delegates from nine colonies, sitting as the Stamp Act Congress, petitioned the King and Parliament for repeal. In Philadelphia, New York, and other seaport towns, merchants pledged not to buy or sell British goods until the hated stamp tax was repealed. This storm of resistance and protest eventually had the desired effect. Stamp sgents hastily resigned their Commissions and not a single stamp was ever sold in the colonies. Meanwhile, British merchants petitioned Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act. In 1766, the law was repealed but replaced with the Declaratory Act, which stated that Parliament had the right to make laws binding on the colonies "in all cases whatsoever." The methods used to protest the Stamp Act raised issues concerning the use of illegal and violent protest, which are considered in this chapter. May: Patrick Henry and the Virginia Resolutions Patrick Henry had been a member of Virginia's House of Burgess (Assembly) for exactly nine days as the May session was drawing to a close.
    [Show full text]
  • Ocm01251790-1863.Pdf (10.24Mb)
    u ^- ^ " ±i t I c Hon. JONATHAN E. FIELD, President. 1. —George Dwight. IJ. — K. M. Mason. 1. — Francis Briwiej'. ll.-S. .1. Beal. 2.— George A. Shaw. .12 — Israel W. Andrews. 2.—Thomas Wright. 12.-J. C. Allen. 3. — W. F. Johnson. i'i. — Mellen Chamberlain 3.—H. P. Wakefield. 13.—Nathan Crocker. i.—J. E. Crane. J 4.—Thomas Rice, .Ir. 4.—G. H. Gilbert. 14.—F. M. Johnson. 5.—J. H. Mitchell. 15.—William L. Slade. 5. —Hartley Williams. 15—H. M. Richards. 6.—J. C. Tucker. 16. —Asher Joslin. 6.—M. B. Whitney. 16.—Hosea Crane. " 7. —Benjamin Dean. 17.— Albert Nichols. 7.—E. O. Haven. 17.—Otis Gary. 8.—William D. Swan. 18.—Peter Harvey. 8.—William R. Hill. 18.—George Whitney. 9.—.]. I. Baker. 19.—Hen^^' Carter. 9.—R. H. Libby. 19.—Robert Crawford. ]0.—E. F. Jeiiki*. 10.-—Joseph Breck. 20. —Samuel A. Brown. .JOHN MORIS?5KV, Sevii^aiU-ut-Anns. S. N. GIFFORU, aerk. Wigatorn gaHei-y ^ P=l F ISSu/faT-fii Lit Coiranoittoralllj of llitss3t|ttsttts. MANUAL FOR THE USE OF THE G-ENERAL COURT: CONTAINING THE RULES AND ORDERS OF THE TWO BRANCHES, TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH, AND THAT OF THE UNITED STATES, A LIST OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT, STATE INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR OFFICERS, COUNTY OFFICERS, AND OTHER STATISTICAL INFORMATION. Prepared, pursuant to Orders of the Legislature, BY S. N. GIFFORD and WM. S. ROBINSON. BOSTON: \yRIGHT & POTTER, STATE PRINTERS, No. 4 Spring Lane. 1863. CTommonbtaltfj of iBnssacf)useits.
    [Show full text]
  • Colonial Flags 1775-1781
    THE AMERICAN FLAG IS BORN American Heritage Information Library and Museum about A Revolutionary Experience GRAND UNION BETSY ROSS The first flag of the colonists to have any During the Revolutionary War, several patriots made resemblance to the present Stars and Stripes. It was flags for our new Nation. Among them were Cornelia first flown by ships of the Colonial Fleet on the Bridges, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross, and Rebecca Young, all Delaware River. On December 3, 1775 it was raised of Pennsylvania, and John Shaw of Annapolis, Maryland. aboard Capt. Esek Hopkin's flagship Alfred by John Although Betsy Ross, the best known of these persons, Paul Jones, then a navy lieutenant. Later the flag was made flags for 50 years, there is no proof that she raised on the liberty pole at Prospect Hill, which was made the first Stars and Stripes. It is known she made near George Washington's headquarters in flags for the Pennsylvania Navy in 1777. The flag Cambridge, MA. It was the unofficial national flag on popularly known as the "Betsy Ross Flag", which July 4, 1776, Independence Day; and it remained the arranged the stars in a circle, did not appear until the unofficial national flag and ensign of the Navy until early 1790's. June 14, 1777 when the Continental Congress Provided as a Public Service authorized the Stars and Stripes. for over 115 Years COLONIAL THIRD MOUNTAIN REGIMENT The necessity of a common national flag had not been thought of until the appointment of a committee composed of Benjamin Franklin, Messrs.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sons and Daughters of Liberty Questions
    Name Date The Sons and Daughters of Liberty By Cindy Grigg Caption: A depiction of the tarring and feathering of Commissioner of Customs John Malcolm, a Loyalist, by five Patriots on 5 January 1774 under the Liberty Tree in Boston, Massachusetts. Tea is also being poured into Malcolm's mouth. The print shows the Boston Tea Party occurring in the background, though that incident had in fact taken place four weeks earlier. Note the noose in the tree and the Stamp Act posted upside-down. After Britain began taxing the colonies in 1765, the colonists were angry. They had no representatives in the British Parliament. In Boston, there were public demonstrations. People flooded the streets to protest what they felt were unfair taxes. Angry mobs went to the home of the king's agent who was supposed to collect taxes in the colony. Colonists who fought the tax called themselves the "Sons of Liberty." The name came from a speech made by a member of Parliament. He also opposed the tax. Some of the Sons were common laborers. Some were merchants. Some were lawyers. Some were artists. Some were doctors. Some were newspaper publishers and writers. All of them were Patriots. They supported political freedom in the colonies. These men often held public protests against British taxes and laws. They rallied around "Liberty Trees", "Liberty Poles", or other public meeting places. In Boston, two prominent leaders were Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. In 1773, the tax on tea led the Sons of Liberty to make a public statement. "It is essential to the freedom and security of a free people that no taxes be imposed on them but by their own consent or that of their representatives." They declared that as long as tea was taxed, anyone who brought tea into the colony "shall be deemed an enemy to the liberties of America." The Sons of Liberty planned and carried out the Boston Tea Party in December 1773.
    [Show full text]
  • Sons of Liberty Patriots Or Terrorists
    The Sons of Liberty : Patriots? OR Common ? Core Terrorists focused! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mr-Educator-A-Social-Studies-Professional Instructions: 1.) This activity can be implemented in a variety of ways. I have done this as a class debate and it works very, very well. However, I mostly complete this activity as three separate nightly homework assignments, or as three in-class assignments, followed by an in-class Socratic Seminar. The only reason I do this is because I will do the Patriots v. Loyalists: A Common Core Class Debate (located here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ Product/Patriots-vs-Loyalists-A-Common-Core-Class-Debate-874989) and I don’t want to do two debates back-to-back. 2.) Students should already be familiar with the Sons of Liberty. If they aren’t, you may need to establish the background knowledge of what this group is and all about. 3.) I will discuss the questions as a class that are on the first page of the “Day 1” reading. Have classes discuss what makes someone a patriot and a terrorist. Talk about how they define these words? Can one be one without being the other? How? Talk about what both sides are after. What are the goals of terrorists? Why are they doing it? It is also helpful to bring in some outside quotes of notorious terrorists, such as Bin Laden, to show that they are too fighting for what they believe to be a just, noble cause. 4.) For homework - or as an in-class activity - assign the Day 1 reading.
    [Show full text]
  • Chronology of the American Revolution
    INTRODUCTION One of the missions of The Friends of Valley Forge Park is the promotion of our historical heritage so that the spirit of what took place over two hundred years ago continues to inspire both current and future generations of all people. It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that we are able to offer to the public this chronology of events of The American Revolution. While a simple listing of facts, it is the hope that it will instill in some the desire to dig a little deeper into the fascinating stories underlying the events presented. The following pages were compiled over a three year period with text taken from many sources, including the internet, reference books, tapes and many other available resources. A bibliography of source material is listed at the end of the book. This publication is the result of the dedication, time and effort of Mr. Frank Resavy, a long time volunteer at Valley Forge National Historical Park and a member of The Friends of Valley Forge Park. As with most efforts of this magnitude, a little help from friends is invaluable. Frank and The Friends are enormously grateful for the generous support that he received from the staff and volunteers at Valley Forge National Park as well as the education committee of The Friends of Valley Forge Park. Don R Naimoli Chairman The Friends of Valley Forge Park ************** The Friends of Valley Forge Park, through and with its members, seeks to: Preserve…the past Conserve…for the future Enjoy…today Please join with us and help share in the stewardship of Valley Forge National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Leisure Activities in the Colonial Era
    PUBLISHED BY THE PAUL REVERE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION SPRING 2016 ISSUE NO. 122 Leisure Activities in The Colonial Era BY LINDSAY FORECAST daily tasks. “Girls were typically trained in the domestic arts by their mothers. At an early age they might mimic the house- The amount of time devoted to leisure, whether defined as keeping chores of their mothers and older sisters until they recreation, sport, or play, depends on the time available after were permitted to participate actively.” productive work is completed and the value placed on such pursuits at any given moment in time. There is no doubt that from the late 1600s to the mid-1850s, less time was devoted to pure leisure than today. The reasons for this are many – from the length of each day, the time needed for both routine and complex tasks, and religious beliefs about keeping busy with useful work. There is evidence that men, women, and children did pursue leisure activities when they had the chance, but there was just less time available. Toys and descriptions of children’s games survive as does information about card games, dancing, and festivals. Depending on the social standing of the individual and where they lived, what leisure people had was spent in different ways. Activities ranged from the traditional sewing and cooking, to community wide events like house- and barn-raisings. Men had a few more opportunities for what we might call leisure activities but even these were tied closely to home and business. Men in particular might spend time in taverns, where they could catch up on the latest news and, in the 1760s and 1770s, get involved in politics.
    [Show full text]