What Role Did American Politcal Leaders Play In Developing Opposition

Question 1

What was the signifcane/ importance of John Locke in influencing events ?

Answer 1

• argued that the colonists and the constitutional right to not have their property seized from them and this right was greater than the authority of parliament which should safeguard not undermine this right
• this helped to form and gather ideological opposition to independence with his influence being seen in the influential letters of a Pennsylvanian farmer
• parallels to 1630s Charles I attempted to establish a despotism and if colonists didn’t resist further tyranny would occur

Question 2

What was the significance/ influence of Samuel Adam’s ?
(maybe the most important if not one and it’s hard to underestimate what he does.)
1. Who and what
2. Believed ?
3. Part of
4. Letter

Answer 2

• realised colonial leaders needed popular support to effectively challenge Britian
• radical and an idealist who became a key figure in rebellion
• believed British ruling elite were corrupt and he misrepresented Brit policy to win the mass support particularly in Massachusetts’s (hot bed of rebellion)- led to opposition elsewhere
• part of the loyal nine group which attacked supporters of the Stamp Act + united gangs in Boston against the SA and Brit which lead to the formation of the SOL due to opposition spreading to NY
• critical role in circular letter Massachusetts’s Assembly 1768+ 1771 created committees of correspondence
• these spread throughout the colonists and was improtant in providing a focus for racial activity + had a role in organising the Boston tea party

Question 3

What was the significance/ influence of John Dickinson ?

Answer 3

• Pennsylvanian lawyers and politician and a prominent leader of opposition
• Letters of a P farmer: attacked Townsend duties and claimed Brit parl couldn’t tax without their consent
• argued suspending NY assembly was an attack on liberty
• could be argued he only held influence in the more educated parts of society however literacy rates were high with 9 colleges by 1770

Question 4

What was the significance/ importance of Thomas Jefferson ?

Answer 4

• principle author of the Declaration of Independence 1776
• 1774, a summary view of the rights of a British American influential moving many towards independence
• argued Britian had no right to exert authority over the colonies and was critical that a 160,000 electorate in Brit should legislate America
• logical development was independence which started to gain support

Question 5

What was the significance/ importance of Thomas Paine influence on events ?

Answer 5

• English radical that arrived in America in 1774
• pamphlet common sense 1776 had a large impact selling 100,000 copies incredibly quickly with some arguing it had the greatest influence of any pamphlet
• it attacked the constitution and hereditary monarchy convincing many American that breaking ties with Britain was the only way to cease the abuse of liberties whilst encouraging a republic

Question 6

What was the significance/ importance in John Adams’s influence in events ?

Answer 6

• Boston lawyer and cousin of Sam Adam’s
• rose to prominence for his own actions after the Boston massacre
• legal defence for Briths soldiers involved however opinion of him changed after the continental congress
• play a leading role in persuading for independence