Samuel Adams and The American Revolution

A graduate from Harvard University, Samuel Adams failed in business before becoming a politician. Although, he was a popular leader in America, many controversies surrounded him. He was one of the staunch supporters of 'Republicanism' in America. The system of 'committee of correspondence', formed by Samuel Adams and his associates played an important role in uniting like-minded Americans from all the thirteen colonies. He also opposed the 'Coercive Acts', passed by the British Parliament after the 'Boston Tea Party'.

Beginning of the American Revolution
There were many causes and reasons that led to the American Revolution. However, the 'Coercive Acts', which included the 'Boston Port Act', the 'Massachusetts Government Act' and the 'Administration of Justice Act' spread unrest among Americans and angered them the most. To oppose these acts, Samuel Adams, with the co-operation of 'Boston Town Meeting' decided to boycott British goods in Boston. The Massachusetts House decided to send him to Philadelphia, where the 'First Continental Congress' was to be held.

First Continental Congress
The convention continued from 5th September to 26th October, 1774. During the convention held in Philadelphia, Samuel Adams did the important task of promoting unity among all the thirteen colonies of America. It was also decided at the convention to cut down the exports to Britain until the 'Coercive Acts', also known as the 'Intolerable Acts' were repealed.

Samuel Adams returned to Massachusetts in November and joined the 'Massachusetts Provincial Congress'. A vital and important task of forming the 'Minutemen', the first armed force to fight in the 'American Revolutionary War', was done by the 'Massachusetts Provincial Congress'.

On 18th April, 1775, General Gage had issued arrest orders in the name of Samuel Adams and John Hancock. General Gage has earlier, received a letter from Lord Darmouth regarding the arrest of 'principal actors' and 'abettors' in the Provincial Congress. Both the leaders escaped the arrest, thanks to the courageous efforts of Paul Revere, who informed them about the British troops marching towards Lexington. After the escape, General Gage declared that the American revolutionaries won't be punished if they lay down their arms. However, he excluded the names of John Hancock and Samuel Adams from the declaration and decided to arrest them. The move by General Gage only highlighted the importance of these leaders.

Second Continental Congress
Mr. Adams had greatly influenced the 'Second Continental Congress'. He not only headed several committees in the congress, but also dealt with matters regarding the armed forces. He advocated independence for the colonies from the British regime.

On 4th July, 1776, the Congress approved the 'United States Declaration of Independence', which marked the beginning of a new era in the history of America. After the declaration, Adams focused his attention on the 'American Revolutionary War' and served on many military committees. The Americans who supported the British regime were called as the 'Loyalists'. Adams viewed them as a threat to America and opposed their return to Massachusetts after the end of the war.

After the war, a committee was appointed to draft the 'Articles of Confederation', a constitution for the United States of America. Samuel Adams was one of the delegates of the committee and represented Massachusetts. The 'Articles of Confederation' were not signed by many states till 1781.

Samuel Adams decided to retire from the Continental Congress in 1781. He lived a simple and modest life. Samuel Adams faced a lot of setbacks in his life. He lost his only son, Samuel Adams Jr. when he was just 37 year old. No matter how controversial his political career had been, Samuel Adams will always be remembered in American history for his important contributions to the American Revolution.