Introduction to the American Revolution
In 1765, the American colonies were under British rule, with high taxes and poverty leading to unrest and violence. This tumultuous period marked the beginning of the American Revolution, with key figures such as Sam Adams, John Hancock, and Governor Hutchinson playing important roles in shaping the colony’s future.
Key Figures and Events
Sam Adams, a tax collector, owed the crown over 8,000 pounds in uncollected taxes, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. However, with the help of his friends and a wealthy individual, the debt and warrant against Adams were cleared in exchange for his help in ending the unrest in the streets. Meanwhile, Governor Hutchinson sought to deal with Adams, who was causing unrest in the colony, and John Hancock became involved in the situation, with unclear intentions.
British Response to Unrest
British officials, including Governor Hutchinson and General Gage, discussed the unrest in Boston, blaming it on a charismatic leader and excessive taxes. They decided to send General Gage to America to discipline the colonists and establish order, with the prime minister proposing a decree to authorize customs officers to seize goods and punish transgressions. British soldiers arrived in Boston, and the city became a hub of tension and resistance.
Smuggling and Resistance
American colonists, including John Hancock and Sam Adams, were involved in smuggling and evading British taxation. They used coded signals and secret routes to transport merchandise, recruiting merchants and customers to join their cause. The colonists’ efforts were set against the backdrop of a lavish celebration of King George’s birthday, where they mingled with British authorities while secretly undermining their authority.
Underground Market and Boycott
A group of individuals, including John and Sam, were involved in an underground market in Boston, which was disrupted by the arrival of Governor Hutchinson, who shut down shops not run by loyalists. The group discussed ways to respond, including a boycott of Tory shops, while navigating their relationships and motivations, with some prioritizing profit and others driven by politics and loyalty.
Escalation of Violence
A violent mob scene ensued, resulting in the death of a child, and the community was left in turmoil, with some calling for an end to the violence and others seeking revenge. Tensions rose in Boston as General Gage cracked down on the colonists, relieving Governor Hutchinson of his duties and seizing John Hancock’s house.
Preparation for War
Samuel Adams and John Hancock led the resistance, with George Washington’s advice to resist, and the colonists prepared for war, seeking manpower and weapons to take back Boston. The key events and figures of this period are summarized below:
- Sam Adams: A tax collector who owed the crown over 8,000 pounds in uncollected taxes and became a key figure in the American Revolution.
- John Hancock: A wealthy merchant who became involved in the situation with Sam Adams and played a significant role in the Revolution.
- Governor Hutchinson: The governor of Massachusetts who sought to deal with Sam Adams and maintain British authority in the colony.
- General Gage: The British general who was sent to America to discipline the colonists and establish order.
- Smuggling and resistance: The colonists’ efforts to evade British taxation and secretly undermine British authority.
- Underground market and boycott: The group’s response to Governor Hutchinson’s shutdown of shops not run by loyalists, including a boycott of Tory shops.
- Escalation of violence: The violent mob scene and the community’s response to the death of a child.
- Preparation for war: The colonists’ efforts to prepare for war, seeking manpower and weapons to take back Boston.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| American Revolution | A colonial revolt that took place between 1765 and 1783, in which the Thirteen Colonies in North America rejected British rule and established the United States of America as an independent nation. | The American Revolution was a pivotal event in American history, shaping the country’s future and leading to the creation of a new nation. |
| Sam Adams | An American statesman, politician, and leader of the Massachusetts Patriots during the American Revolution, known for his role in organizing the Boston Tea Party and other protests against British rule. | Sam Adams was a key figure in the American Revolution, using his charisma and leadership skills to rally the colonists against British rule. |
| John Hancock | An American merchant, statesman, and patriot who played a significant role in the American Revolution, serving as the president of the Continental Congress and signing the Declaration of Independence with his iconic large signature. | John Hancock’s large signature on the Declaration of Independence has become a symbol of American independence and patriotism. |
| Governor Hutchinson | The British governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay from 1771 to 1774, who sought to maintain British authority in the colony and clashed with American patriots like Sam Adams and John Hancock. | Governor Hutchinson’s attempts to enforce British rule in Massachusetts ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution. |
| General Gage | A British Army officer who served as the commander-in-chief of British forces in North America during the American Revolution, responsible for enforcing British rule and suppressing the colonial rebellion. | General Gage’s military campaigns against the American colonists ultimately failed to crush the rebellion, leading to the British defeat in the American Revolution. |
| Smuggling | The act of secretly importing or exporting goods, often to avoid paying taxes or customs duties, which was a common practice among American colonists during the American Revolution. | Smuggling was a key aspect of the American colonists’ resistance against British rule, allowing them to evade taxes and maintain their economic independence. |
| Underground market | A secret network of buyers and sellers who engage in illegal or unauthorized trade, often to avoid paying taxes or complying with regulations, which was present in Boston during the American Revolution. | The underground market in Boston played a significant role in the American Revolution, allowing colonists to acquire goods and services while evading British authorities. |
| Boycott | A form of protest or punishment in which a group of people refuse to buy or use certain goods or services, often to pressure a business or government to change its policies or practices, which was used by American colonists against British merchants during the American Revolution. | The boycott of British goods was an effective tactic used by American colonists to protest British rule and promote their own economic independence. |
| Escalation of violence | A situation in which a conflict or dispute becomes increasingly violent or intense, often leading to further conflict or instability, which occurred in Boston during the American Revolution. | The escalation of violence in Boston ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution, as colonists became increasingly frustrated with British rule and willing to take up arms to defend their rights. |
| Preparation for war | The process of preparing for military conflict, often involving the mobilization of troops, the acquisition of supplies and equipment, and the development of strategic plans, which occurred among American colonists during the American Revolution. | The preparation for war among American colonists ultimately led to the creation of a unified military force, which was able to defeat the British and secure American independence. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘a person who collects taxes’?
A) Governor
B) General
C) Tax collector
D) Merchant
2. What does ‘tumultuous’ mean in the context of the American Revolution?
A) Peaceful and calm
B) Characterized by unrest and violence
C) Related to taxation only
D) Concerned with British rule
3. Which of the following best describes ‘smuggling’ in the context of the American Revolution?
A) The act of paying taxes to the British
B) The act of evading British taxation and secretly transporting goods
C) The act of openly trading with the British
D) The act of boycotting British goods
4. What is an ‘underground market’ in the context of the American Revolution?
A) A market where British goods are sold openly
B) A market where goods are sold secretly to evade British taxation
C) A market where only loyalists can trade
D) A market where only colonists can trade
5. What does ‘boycott’ mean in the context of the American Revolution?
A) To support and buy from
B) To refuse to buy from or deal with
C) To tax heavily
D) To smuggle goods for
Answer Key:
1. C
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Use of the Past Perfect Tense
Grammar Quiz:
Choose the correct answer for each question:
1. By the time the British soldiers arrived in Boston, the colonists ______ their plans for resistance.
- had made
- were making
- make
- made
2. Sam Adams ______ a tax collector before he became involved in the American Revolution.
- was
- had been
- is
- were
3. The colonists ______ their goods through secret routes before the British authorities discovered their activities.
- smuggled
- had smuggled
- were smuggling
- smuggle
4. By the time General Gage arrived in America, the colonists ______ against the British for several years.
- had been resisting
- were resisting
- resist
- resisted
5. The underground market in Boston ______ by the arrival of Governor Hutchinson, who shut down shops not run by loyalists.
- was disrupted
- had been disrupted
- disrupted
- were disrupting
Answer Key:
1. had made
2. had been
3. had smuggled
4. had been resisting
5. was disrupted