Roles of Revolutionary Leaders Benjamin Franklin Albany Plan

Roles of Revolutionary Leaders

Benjamin Franklin • Albany Plan of Union to unite colonists against the French • Delegate to the 1 st & 2 nd Continental Congress • Ambassador to France to seek military aide in the war • Part of the “Committee of 5” to write the Declaration of Independence • Signed the Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Alliance, Treaty of Paris, and Constitution!

Samuel Adams • Cousin to John Adams • Founder of the Sons of Liberty • Helped to organize the Committees of Correspondence

Crispus Attucks • An escaped slave of African and Native American heritage • Became a whaler in Massachusetts • First man to die for American liberty on March 5, 1770 during the Boston Massacre

"Honor to Crispus Attucks, who was leader and voice that day; The first to defy, and the first to die…” John Boyle O’Reilly, poet, 1888

Thomas Paine • Author of the pamphlet Common Sense • Convinced colonists that the only logical course of action is to separate from England

“Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part. ” Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

John Adams • Lawyer who defended the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre • Married to Abigail Adams • Delegate to the Second Continental Congress – Pushed to select Washington as commander of the Continental Army – Part of the “Committee of 5” who helped write the declaration of independence and one of the 56 men who signed it

Abigail Adams • Feminist voice of the Revolution • Married to John Adams – Supported and shared her husband’s political views – In her countless letters, she encourages him to “remember the ladies” when framing a new government

"I long to hear that you have declared an independency; and by the way in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or Representation. " Abigail Adams

Mercy Otis Warren • Patriot writer, poet and playwright – writings supported independence • Writings convinced many people in Massachusetts to become Patriots • Instrumental in the development of the Committees of Correspondence

Wentworth Cheswell • Rode with Paul Revere during the Midnight Ride to warn colonists of the British advance on Concord • Rode North (Revere rode West, where he was captured) • Later fought in the pivotal Battle of Saratoga

Patrick Henry • Passionate defender of individual rights • Strongly in favor of independence • Most famous for his “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech.

"The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian… I’m an American!” Patrick Henry

Haym Salomon • Jewish banker who helped finance the Revolution – Arrested twice by the British – Thought he was a spy • Never asked for re-payment and did not want interest paid back on his loans