Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams-Father of the American Revolution
by Mark Puls

Much was expected of Adams as he came to age. His parents wanted him to follow in the footsteps of his father, and become involved in the church. Adams didn’t want to go into the field of religion, and ended up floating around to many various occupations. Adams soon found his way into politics after he finished his education at Harvard. Even then Adams was thinking about “breaking with the British Empire”, in his commencement speech Adams’ thesis was along the lines of ‘would it be right to resist the British Magistrate’. Even in college there were hints that Samuel Adams would be a large impact on the United States.

Samuel Adams was a positive impact on America. His ideas were beyond creative. According to Mark Puls, Samuel Adams introduced a strategy that was yet to be thought of, “His idea for the tactic was so new that a word for it did not exist”. The method that Samuel Adams suggested was later called “boycott”, after Charles C. Boycott. This plan of Adams, of refusing to buy goods from a particular location, in this case Great Britain, has influenced the ability of all in America to protest without harm. For example, if a mother feels that chickens being in cages is wrong, she can boycott products where the chicken are kept in cages, and only purchase cage free goods. Adams idea for a boycott greatly effected many to come, by giving the idea, which can be used by anyone with the will to protect what they believe in.

From the time British Military occupation began in Boston (1768), no one was very pleased, and protests filled the streets of Boston. Many minor fights broke out between soldiers and townspeople. Yet, all previous spats were small, and no one got hurt, until March 5th when the Boston Massacre occurred. In the end, there were a total of five deaths. This was the last straw for Adams and many other townspeople, the soldiers must go. Adams met with Governor Thomas Hutchinson, Hutchinson claimed “he had no power to remove the troops”. Hutchinson offered to remove one regiment, but Adams true to his word wanted both removed. Samuel Adams wore Hutchinson down to the point where he gave up. Troops were ordered out of Boston, and were out after 2 weeks. Adams proved to the people or Boston and America that nothing would stand in his way. This effected many by raising the spirits, and boosting the confidence of the townspeople, Samuel Adams firm approach to the British, influenced all who were for freedom, Americans now knew that they would soon be free from Britain's rule.

Adams had begun public writing in 1748. He wrote many editorials about his opinions of freedom, and leaving the British Empire. Through most of his career Samuel Adams continued to write in local newspapers, pamphlets, and even to high government officials. Yet, never thought that all these pieces would soon go to such good use. This time came when the Declaration of Independence was published to the public. Samuel Adams writings had meant that the “colonists were already grounded in the ideas in the Declaration”. Adams writings had prepared the colonists, in a way that would have taken years without him. Adams had warmed the water before he lets America step in. Samuel Adams was impacting the lives of Americans before anyone even knew.

In conclusion Samuel Adams was a large impact on the United States, and Americans from the time when he was alive to long after he had died. Adams will forever be known for his determination to lead America into freedom. Samuel Adams always put America before himself. He could express his beliefs both through his words, and through his writing, both which were exceptional. Samuel Adams had an effect on people like no other, he had the ability to convert people’s ideas through words. He always believed in “a new kind of government, free of crowns and coronets, without titles or hereditary privileges”. Adams believed in working hard, and using your own skills to make it somewhere in life. From the time Samuel Adams died on October 2nd 1803, he would forever be known as ‘ The Father of the American Revolution’, ‘A Founding Father’ and an influential figure in American History