When we think about our independence certain people come to mind as being the most patriotic. While many people in the early colony life put their lives on the line, certain men stand out more than others. Here is a list of some of the most notable figures in American Independence and what kind of role they played in our nation’s independence.
• Ben Franklin — He was one of the five people assigned to write the Declaration of Independence. He was also assigned to go overseas to convince the French to help us in the American Revolution. He was successful with his task by using a combination of spies and skillful diplomacy. He developed the concept of “no taxation without representation.”? He was also a minister to France until 1785.
• John Adams — He was the second President of the United States but before he was President he served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. He was the person responsible for convincing his twelve fellow delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence. John Adams was also a founding father and one of the five people to help write and draft the Declaration of Independence. John Adams also appointed General George Washington to lead the American troops in the American Revolution.
• Patrick Henry — He addressed the House on March 23, 1775 on the topic of liberty. He was in favor of America becoming free from England and was a very passionate speaker; part of his speech is still remembered today. His famous words are: ” Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”?
• George Washington — General George Washington was the first President of the United States, but his role before that was General: guiding troops into battle. He was appointed to command the American troops during the American Revolution by John Adams.
• Thomas Jefferson — He was also one of the founding fathers and one of the five people assigned to write the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson is probably the most popular of the founding fathers and that has to do with the fact that he was the person who actually wrote out the Declaration of Independence. Although four other people were helping him, they pretty much made recommendations, and he wrote them in. In 1785 he succeeded Ben Franklin as the minister to France. As a founding father he was one of the most influential for his promotion of the ideals of Republicanism in the United States.
• Paul Revere — He is most known for his “midnight ride”? when he was serving as a messenger before the battles of Lexington and Concord. He was in charge of riding to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that the British troops were coming to arrest them and seize the weapons stores in Concord. He also helped organize an intelligence and alarm system to help keep watch on the British troops.
• John Hancock — His boycott of tea is what eventually led to the Boston Tea Party. He was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, hence the saying “Can I get your John Hancock please?”? He was also able to raise bands of minutemen, who were soldiers who promised to be ready to go to battle at a minute’s notice.
• Samuel Adams — He was well known for being a founding father of our nation, as well as drumming up support of the colonies in rebelling against Great Britain. He was well known for writing written protests that attacked Parliament’s colonial tax measures. He also helped organize protests against Great Britain and participated in the Continental Congress.
