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Your Task

1. Choose a historical figure or group from the Revolutionary War era (e.g., British officials, American colonists, enslaved people, Native Americans, merchants, etc.)

2. Research their perspective on the events leading to the American Revolution

3. Create a post sharing their viewpoint on key events like the Boston Tea Party, Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, etc.

4. Include a video, audio recording, or drawing to enhance your perspective

5. Write from their point of view using “I” or “we” statements

Tips

Consider how different groups experienced the same events differently

Think about their motivations, fears, and hopes

Use specific examples and historical evidence

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This image shows the colonists fighting back against the British Soldiers. There were 5 men killed and it was all just a blur to see. we  were all just fighting for our rights and standing up to Parliament.

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It is the late 1750's and I am being taken of my rights. After being forced into war, and fighting for land, being rewarded with nothing is not what I imagined. Fighting long and hard hoping to gain the rights to our land gave me hope to a fresh start is the New World. I was mistaken. I wish we could go back to being over looked. Brought back to the days of self governance. The war brought money challenges and we the colonists are having to pay for the costs. Yet we gain nothing. Why would we pay for land we cannot use, touch, live on? Why would we pay for something that is no longer ours? These are the questions we ask ourselves. I am no longer following the Rules of the British. I believe that the taxation amongst us is completely unfair. At first it was impressment, but now we have to house British troops. Pay for their food with our own money and have them in our homes with out a say. Taking care for another person without any financial aid is something I was not planning on taking on. If that already wasn't enough, I could not get the paper, playing cards, or even write my own will without a tax. You would think the war would be paid off by now but you're wrong if you think that. However, we all united through all the taxation. Despite all of the differences between our colonies, we found a common enemy. This gave us motivation to take a stand. It is now 1766 and the Stamp Act has been repealed, but Parliament did not take long to find a new act to put us in place. The Declaratory Act was passed and Parliament declared its authority to tax and make laws for us. It gave them more power. There were taxes on lead, paint and Tea. The Townshend Act. Some colonies tried to write to Parliament and discuss the issue that the taxes on lead, paint and tea violated out taxation without representation rights. The Townshend Acts were revoked all except tea. March 5, 1770 was a day that had scared me. British soldiers and citizens of Boston clashed and faced challenges against each other. The British fired into the crowd and my life flashed before my eyes. What I thought a normal day would be, turned out to be a Massacre.

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Although we were not directly involved in the Boston Tea Party or the Boston Massacre, we supported the colonists seeking revolution as the Seven Years' War had just ended. Additionally, their revolution was inspired by our Enlightenment movement, so we of course encouraged them in their pursuits to realize these ideals. Some of the colonial unrest was in part due to our conflicts with Great Britain, specifically the French-Indian War. Britain decided to have the colonists pay for the war through taxes- without representation- which the colonists disagreed with. We first got involved in the war in 1776, when we supplied materials for the colonists like weapons and uniforms by secret shipment.

Image credits:

Charles-Auguste Couder, Louis. "Siege of Yorktown". 1836, Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia.

Source credits:

“France and the American Revolution - Museum of the American Revolution.” Museum of the American Revolution, www.amrevmuseum.org/france-and-the-american-revolution. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

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Major pre-revolutionary war event such as The Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party, Intolerable Acts, and Continental Congress, all of which have well described information about John Adams viewpoints on each individual event.

Stamp Act: The Stamp Act imposed a tax without seeking approval of the legislature. I greatly believed that the Stamp Act enacted was a complete violation of there rights, which I believed was very unconstitutional. In return, I wrote a series of essays, condemning the Act, using the idea of "no taxation without representation" a supporting claim.

Boston Massacre: John Adams had an indifferent, complex viewpoint on the Boston Massacre. Adams Believed that while justice and the rule of law needs to be used, the officers still should be able to be able to have a fair trial for their actions

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My perspective on the events leading to the American Revolution were formed by my strong belief in individual liberty, by the fact that I was part of the republican political party, and my distrust and dislike of a centralized government. In my perspective, the war and the events preceding it not just as a political issue and argument but also as a moral one. I also believe that this issue highlighted the struggle between virtue and corruption.

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I strongly supported events such as the Boston tea party. I believe that these events are necessary to prove to Great Britain that American Independence was important and necessary for the success of the colonies, and that the unfair taxation of the people was a issue worth fighting for. I believe that the Boston Tea Party was a fair and necessary act of resistance against British oppression. This event even inspired my poem, "The Squabble of the Sea Nymphs." I believe that the colonies need to unionize and work together to resist and boycott these unfair taxes until Great Britain listens to our requests.

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It is 1773 and Mercy Otis Warren and I are just finished making the last of the disguises for the plan tomorrow night. Me and the other girls have been around the clock on planning this one. We feel this is the best one yet! Though I do believe in the cost and I believe this will work. I can't help but doubt that this might end worse for us and more of Massachusetts. I talked to Mercy about it last night as we finished the last of the outfits. But she said it is worth it if we make the smallest amount of difference and change for the better for our children when they grow up. Years to come this goes down in history and it shows that it was worth it no matter what the outcome is. I just told her I worry more about the sons of Liberty because they are the ones that actually do it. And they could get more hurt and

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(This image is not of the first continental congress but shows how strongly Henry felt.)

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It was March 22, 1765 when the stamp act was passed, forcing my fellow men and I to pay an absurd tax on a necessary to modern life. The tax’s purpose was to raise revenue to help pay for the substantial debt incurred by Britain during the French and Indian War. The tax was an absurdity and an attack on our rights. Thus, I decided to fight this attack on freedom by proposing The Virginia Resolves; a group of resolutions to the House of Burgesses. They were meant to grant the people of Virginia the same rights as the British and only allow the people to be taxed by their representative. While many of the propositions were declined it seems the papers were very popular among the people which helped the growing disdain with the stamp act. This recent renown allowed me to reach a large group of people with my speeches. I hoped to inspire my audiences to deny taxation without representation. This renown eventually allowed me to become part of the first continental congress where I argued for freedom of the colonies. There I signed the Petition to the King, which I helped to draft, and the Continental Association. I hoped to inspire a boycott of British goods within the colonies. Further my popularity within Virginia grew at an astonishing rate, especially after the stamp act was repealed on March 18, 1766. I was motivated to oppose Britain because I believe they are overreaching their government powers and resemble tyranny. Within the time of my life I hope to achieve separation of Britain but also a greater goal. I hope to give the people a right to choose who represents them as well as a government controlled by the people. While it may seem to the British as they are simply gathering what they are owed. The people of the colonies owe nothing to Britain as we have been as much as an independent nation and any other country for many years.

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this image shows the continental army and the British army talking about something during the war

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Its the mid 1700s and I am being appointed commander-in-chief of the continental army. I have never been in charge of something like this. But, if it's to support my people to get our rights back, I will do it. When the Stamp Act and Townshend Act started up, It really hit me financially. I could barely afford my basic needs now. Like paper, paint and tea. And it's not just me, many other colonists are being effected by this. As well as the Intolerable Acts closing off the Boston Ports, taking away our liberties. The British are not taking us into consideration anymore so its time to stand up and get our freedom back. I hope that by joining this revolution that we can go back to taking care of our selves and having the ability to self-govern again and create a more stable community for everyone.

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March, 1774

Dear General Vaughan,

I write to you with growing concern over the growing anger in the colonies. What once felt like scattered discontent now feels like a movement, angry and growing, united against the Crown.

The Boston Massacre still takes a heavy toll on us. Our men were provoked, surrounded, and scared. Yet the rebels turned it into propaganda, painting us as butchers. Then came the Tea Party, the savages dressed as Mohawks, dumping East India tea into the harbor. They call it a protest. I call it destruction.

And the Gaspee, burned in broad daylight, its commander shot. No one held accountable. These aren’t isolated acts. They’re signals. The rebels see themselves as patriots. Loyalists feel betrayed. And many colonists are caught in between, unsure who to trust.

I’ve spent years fighting on this soil. I know it's people. They’re proud, stubborn, and now dangerously convinced they can stand alone. We must tread carefully. Force alone won’t win this. We need strategy, patience, and a reminder of what loyalty to the Crown truly means.

Yours in service, Robert Rogers

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We, The Daughters of Liberty, greatly protest the taxes implemented by the British Parliament. Through this absurd treatment from the Parliament, it has allowed us women to be able to politically voice our opinion. After the French and Indian War of 1754-1763, the British taxation policies have caused a negative outcome for every colonist. In response, in 1765, we decided to construct a boycott against the Stamp Act that imposed taxes on printed items. How dare they challenge us? They think we will sit here and pay for the debt of a war that was directly fought by our husbands and fathers, in which many lost their lives, and then tell us we can’t have a voice in our government decisions? They thought wrong, we will fight back for the injustices that are occurring throughout the colonies. However, the men weren’t the ones with the brain in this situation;  therefore, if you want to give credit where credit is due give it to the “Mother of the Boston Tea Party,”Sarah Bradley Fulton. She was the mastermind behind the famous Boston Tea Party. She came up with the idea to disguise the men throwing the tea overboard as Indians. This fight for No Taxation without Representation is still going on and won’t stop until we get the justice we deserve.

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I was in between my men and the mob, trying to calm them and get them to go home while using all my power peaceably, but they would not listen. They continued to advance upon us and to the points of the bayonets, they struck the barrels and continued to advance to close to the soldiers. My men fired out of fear for their lives, can they really be blamed for this?  We were followed, surrounded, and it seemed we were about to be attacked. Is it not the rights of the soldiers of the king to enforce the peace and protect themselves?  I understand the colonists were mad because of the implementation of taxes and the liberties of them being contested. But they have no rights here, except to do the kings will, it is his land and them who prosper from it, they fake the ideal of freedom when what they really want is to not be monitored and disciplined for their actions of wrong towards the king and his laws, they are foolish people that have no appreciation for the blessings of the king!

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I fear our rights as Englishmen are slipping away. The Stamp Act taxed us without a say on how we as men should feel, but to hurt our own is just not right. This has stirred up Boston with anger, and we shall not stand for it! The Boston Massacre showed how far the Crown would go- shooting our own in the streets. We should fight. I did not come this far and gain this little. We need to plan and think quickly, so that our voice to the king should be heard. I hope our actions spark unity among the colonies. We will not live as slaves to the king's money. As a member of the Sons of Liberty, I must find men to protest at the harbor and show the Brits what they have coming for them! We must not listen to the tax that has been put upon us, as it shall hurt us more than help us. As the great people of Boston. We will meet soon at the Green Dragon Tavern to plan our approach to protest to what we stand for. We will not fear, but conquer the land we deserve. I fear our rights as Englishmen are slipping away. The Stamp Act taxed us without a say on how we as men should feel, but to hurt our own is just not right. This has stirred up Boston with anger, and we shall not stand for it! The Boston Massacre showed how far the Crown would go- shooting our own in the streets. We should fight. I did not come this far and gain this little. We need to plan and think quickly, so that our voice to the king should be heard. I hope our actions spark unity among the colonies. We will not live as slaves to the king's money. As a member of the Sons of Liberty, I must find men to protest at the harbor and show the Brits what they have coming for them! We must not listen to the tax that has been put upon us, as it shall hurt us more than help us. As the great people of Boston. We will meet soon at the Green Dragon Tavern to plan our approach to protest what we stand for. We will not fear, but conquer the land we deserve.

It shall be a Boston Tea Party!

Now who here looks good in costumes?

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This image shows England claiming victory after the 7 Years or French and Indian war. 

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Because of the very expensive 7 Years war, we had no other option to pay the money back except for taxing the colonists. A few of the acts that we passed in order to collect this money from the colonists were the Sugar Act of 1764, with which we taxed all of the colonists for the use of sugar so that they would stop stealing it to make rum, the Quartering Act of 1764 in which we required the colonists to house our British soldiers while they were fighting the war, and the Stamp Act of 1765 which caused the colonists to have to pay a tax every time they wanted to use paper. The colonists were not very happy about the implication of these acts but we cannot understand why. We simply helped them fight a war in order to gain more land to settle on and they now have to pay their part. After speaking with the colonists, we repealed the Stamp Act; however, we passed the Declaratory Act because we need to remain in control of the colonies. We have left them alone for too long and they cannot be able to fully govern themselves anymore. The colonists were still so angry about all of the laws that we instated that they began dumping our tea into the Boston Harbor! We cannot believe the audacity of the colonists to simply trash the tea that we worked so hard to produce. If they claim that they are still loyal to the King and this country, they are certainly not showing it. We suppose that the colonists may feel that they should be their own independent country now, but they need to remember how they got there in the first place. We sent them from England to the New World so that they could make us a profit. We supported them throughout the entire 7 Years war. Now they just want to be their own country and completely disregard everything we have ever done for them.

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I am Paul Revere and I was a major factor in the events leading up to The American Revolution. My role in the pre-revolutionary era was a major contributor to the Revolution.

The Boston Massacre: I, Paul Revere, played a huge role in the public view of the Boston Massacre. Most famously, my engraving of the Massacre was created to be seen as a tool to unite and gain support for The American Revolutionary cause. My engraving highlighted British tyranny and Patriot Propaganda.

The Boston Tea Party: I felt very strongly opposed to British taxation without representation and the tax imposed on tea imposed by the Tea Act. As a member of the Sons of Liberty organization,other colonists and I went undercover and disguised ourselves as Mohawk Indians boarding British ships and dumping British tea into the Boston Harbour in 1773.

The Stamp Act: In August of 1765, The Sons of Liberty and I organized a riot due to the The Stamp Act, known as the Stamp Act Riots. Where we destroyed homes of government officials, including that of Thomas Hutchinson. I was a clear opponent of the Stamp Act, I believed it to be a clear and imminent infringement of rights and liberties of the colonists.

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First day the newspaper is officially published the Townshend Acts.  This paper paves the way for Parliament views on how the colonists should be taxed on everyday goods.  This later leads to Boston Tea Party, which makes the colonists start to debate on how much longer they can take this dictatorship, a group of rebellious individuals create a plan that will set course of the American Revolution.    

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We’ve heard about the news for a long time now.  The noise has spread throughout the eastern colonies like wildfire in a dry spell.  We all knew it would happen, and finally one day, it did.  As I walked by the market I read a freshly printed newspaper that headlined “Tax on Tea, 3 Dollars a Pound.”  As a colonial merchant wanting to set my family free from the middle class, this news struck me down inside.  First the Sugar Acts nailed us, then the Townshend acts, and now this!  The Tea Act of 1773 allowed the East India Company to flood our markets with cheap tea, but only their sellers could sell it. What monopoly has been created?  This is absurd!  Customers want lower prices and even suggest smuggling imported tea to bypass all this nonsense.  I have no choice, I can't remain loyal to Parliament and barely make a profit - I thought the whole point of this exploration was to make money!  I heard whispers of rebellious acts, like street protesting, boycotting, even tarring and feathering British Soldiers that quartered with them.  Of course I wanted no part in those outlandish acts, but I was tired of not being able to sell a very profitable product.  Finally one day I saw some commotion at the harbour outside my window.  I go check it out and there's these crazy looking protesters dressed like Indians throwing crates and pallets of tea off a British good ship.  My brain starts to whiz as I imagine the retaliation Parliament's going to put us through.  Sure we look cool and boycott unethical rules but the king will always find ways to make sure he’s on top and we’re stuck in the bottom.

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It’s 1754, and I am a British soldier fighting in the French and Indian War. Although I was inexperienced, they let me lead troops. I continued like this until 1755, when I was appointed commander of all Virginia forces.  I continued fighting for Britain. Until I left due to all the disrespect I was getting. In 1765 the Stamp Act, I believed that this was unfair to the colonists, and I supported the protest that was sent out by the Virginians, since everyone was afraid of getting taxed without our consent, but I still had hope for reconciliation between the colonists and Britain. When the Boston Massacre occurred, I knew that the British troops were endangering us as civilians and our liberty. When the Boston Tea Party occurred, I did not agree with the way the men played it out. (throwing the tea.) I believed that we could have expressed our disagreement with the parliament without having to destroy stuff. I believe that the colonists who did that just wanted to be heard and show their frustration to the British Parliament. After all these events had happened, it was evident that the British Parliament was restricting us from our freedom and abusing their power to tax us, quartering the troops without financial aid and more,  meaning change had to be made, supporting the colonist side of resisting against the Britain Parliament, even if that meant fighting them for our independence.

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Image of Sam Adams looking over important plans that the Sons of Liberty are going to carry out.

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This is Samuel Adams, these past two decades have been full of ups and downs throughout my journey to bring independence to the Americas. In the 1750s, when liberty wasn’t being thought of by most men because of Salutary Neglect on the colonies. It was then I first began to understand the growing injustice of Britain’s hold on our people. The end of the French and Indian War brought no peace, only taxes and tyranny. We had no representation to fight for these taxes. I knew I had to make a change, I gathered men with the same ideas as I had. We called ours The Sons of Liberty! The Stamp Act of '65 was the first true spark that lit the fire in all of our heads. I still remember our meetings with fellow merchants, printers, and men of spirit rallying against Parliament’s selfish decisions. That selfish act was not merely a tax; it was taking away our rights as Englishmen. I wrote what many were to afraid to say, taxation without representation is slavery in disguise. Years later came the Townshend Acts, the city streets packed with redcoats, and the tragedy of the Boston Massacre on all of our minds. I walked those streets where Crispus Attucks fell. It was my sole duty to ensure everyone in the world knew of the Boston Massacre, and what it meant. December 1773, when our brothers poured the King’s tea into the harbor, I felt both pride and fear. The cause had gained fire, but the King’s anger would follow. Now, here in 1774, we have joined together at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The colonies are rising up now, we do not believe in cooperation, but of resistance and unity!

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I am an angry American Colonist that is tired of the way we are being treated by Britain. We are taxed by them but have no say in the government and can not make decisions within the government. The Stamp act was an act that made us unfairly pay for every piece of paper we use such as newspapers and legal documents. Then the Boston Massacre occurred when British soldiers shot into a crowd of us and killed five of our men. The King clearly does not care about us if he would allow this to happen with no punishment. As a way for us to get back at the British we used the Boston Tea Party. We were tired of paying unfair taxes for everything including on tea. Ships refused to leave the harbor until all the tea was unloaded so we dumped all of it into the harbor. We as American colonists just want the freedom of self government. If the British do not let it happen then we will fight for independence.

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I am sick and tired of being taxed, when we simply asked for the help of the British army in the 7 years war. They feel that it is all our fault for their debt, but we don't even get the land we fought for. The British government felt like the French settlers shall stay on their land, meaning we fought for land, but no one could use it. We are barely receiving any benefits from the British government, but they have no problem taxing us without the representation. We moved to the colonies for freedom and I have yet to feel it. They started out with the Stamp Act of 1765, where we were required to buy specific stamps for all paper products to support the war relief efforts. But this made it very inconvenient. After we boycotted their goods they ended up repealing the act, which was a win for us, but it was just the start. The unity between all the colonies started to grow over one common enemy, the British government. This was just one of the many acts they passed before the Boston massacre. The soldiers just started shooting our people for no reason, they are uncontrolled and trigger-friendly, they killed 5 good people who were doing nothing wrong. Then they passed the tea act, it aimed to save the financially struggling British East India Company by forcing the colonies to only buy from this company. While it lowered the price of tea by eliminating middlemen and reducing taxes, it also solidified the principle of taxation without representation, further pushing our point. So when we heard that the infamous group the Sons of Liberty had dumped a ship full of tea into Boston Harbor we couldn't be happier. Obviously the colony of Massachusetts had to pay for this, so they passed the Intolerable acts, ultimately forcing the port of Boston to close, as one of the many punishments for Boston. At this point we colonist are fed up with the England and want to be a separate country.

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The year was 1765 when I understood of the Stamp Act while serving as Pennsylvania’s agent in London, at the dawn of my understanding of such I originally supported such measures. Reason being the materials that the act affected would be stamped before payment of the tax. In the beginning I believed that it was reasonable to tax because of the expenses that Britain would have in order to protect the colonies. But soon as I noticed such anger that the stamp act spiked among my fellow colonists, I reconsidered my opinions. I reconsidered my views so deeply that the following year I myself testified against the tax before England's house of commons. Because of my honorable actions the tax was abolished one month afterwards considering my influence. The Boston Massacre was an event which truly raised my concern for the potential violence in the colonies. I considered that the attack was made because of escalating tension with the British military presence. The fault was not just in the hands of the British military but also in that of British policy. What is to be understood from this is that Parliament enforced unwanted taxes and kept troops stationed in Boston. It is my view that Parliament's doings of abusing power were the foundation of the Boston massacre. Then while I was a representative of the colonies, I learned of the destruction that occurred in the Boston Harbor. I understand that these acts were violent and unfair, I also realized the potential consequences. I then went on to write to the leaders of Boston, some of which were Samuel Adams and John Hancock. I wrote about my concerns which included why public rights could not be justified by certain actions. I encouraged the two leaders to consider compensating the East India Company which was the company holding the tea. I assumed that recompensating the East India Company would improve the colonies representation in Europe resisting potential problems. As a result of understanding certain frustrations that surged the people of Boston I supposed the issue was Parliament’s actions of taxing the colonies without their approval. Despite my original opinions I started to speak against the intolerable acts through the humiliation of London. These were the very events that intruded a change in my views and actions, also altering my commitment to the rights of colonists.

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300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s arrival in Pennsylvania | WITF

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Airdate: October 9th, 2023 Last Friday was the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin arriving in Pennsylvania. Franklin set foot in Philadel […]

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It was the evening of March 5, 1770, the sun was settling and the air was getting cold. I was on my way home from work when I saw a crowd gathering on King Street. Many people were angry and riling up the British Soldiers. Next thing I knew…I was towards the front of the crowd also hurling insults and bashing the soldiers. I felt so powerful in that moment, after years of living in fear due to the British’s increased authority in Boston, we were finally fighting back. Nobody was scared, we had outnumbered them completely. Then, a loud sound travelled through the air and everybody went quiet. It was a gunshot! As people started realizing what had happened…Chaos ensued. Gunshots were going off and people were trampling each other because they were either trying to escape the crowd or moving towards the soldiers to fight them. Since I was towards the front of the crowd, I almost did not get out, but luckily I did. I had never seen a crowd clear so quickly, but it was the scariest moment of my life. Hoping that we would knock some sense into the soldiers turned into a tragedy, but after this the revolution happened, where I fought in and we won.

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Before the French and Indian War we were prospering merchants because the colonies were left alone to govern themselves. The British were not involved and the colonies had begun creating their own laws allowing us to trade freely. However, once the French and Indian War started the British became more strict and began to show more authority. Many trading routes were infested by the British military and we could not make trades as freely and safely. The war was very costly for the British which led to them taxing the colonies starting in the 1760s. Consequently, this affected our trade leading to us losing profit on our goods while the British benefited from this infringement on our freedom. Moreover, Britain’s cracking down on the Navigation Acts lost us much of the trading partners we had affecting our trading options and the prices we could sell our goods for. The other colonists were also growing angry because of the increase of the prices of our goods due to the monarchy’s doing. More taxes were being implemented, like the Townshend Acts and Stamp Act, making us lose even more profit. The Townshend Act made goods like lead and paint more expensive and the Stamp Act made documents more expensive. Due to this all of the colonists decided to boycott British goods. This was good for some time because we were finally making profit off of those buying from us and the British repealed the Townshend Duties, besides tea, in March 1770. Through this period it was act to repeal in a cycle which seemed endless. The relationship between the colonies and the British was unbearable. Our trading could not sustain these constant changes for long. Once the Tea Act of 1773 was implemented our businesses were threatened and we had to take further action to stop this. With a monopoly on the tea sales in the colonies we were strained economically and had little items to trade that would even give us profit. The Boston Tea Party was a very important moment for us merchants because it directly correlated with the trading of us merchants and the Sons of Liberty showed rebellion against the monopoly on tea. Up to this day we are greatly affected by the taxes and laws being implemented and we can no longer operate our trading businesses in freedom. Every colonist deserves their freedom and we must continue taking action collectively to end this oppression.

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I, a Native American, played a huge roll in events leading up to the American Revolution. When we fought in the French and Indian War because the colonists wanted land, we ended up losing the war but with us losing this only made the colonists even more upset. This is due to the fact that even thought they won, the King said they couldn't settle past the Apalachin mountains and they were paying more in taxes so they could pay back for the war, which enraged the colonists even more. Also when I fought in Pontiac's rebellion and made the British have to step in this placed more limits on the colonists so they wouldn't disrupt us anymore. The British were also not protecting the colonists living on the outskirts from our attacks which made the colonists more upset. We kept on losing lots and lots of land due to the British, the colonists, and the French, which made us mad that we had to move. I don't know why the colonists had to treat us so poorly with all the attempts that we tried helping them with.

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This image shows the Boston Tea Party (1773)

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Since the British decided to implement a number of taxes on us, the colonists, tensions have escalated within the colonies. The British government created these taxes in order to pay for the large amount of debt accumulated from the French and Indian War. From Parliament’s perspective, taxing the colonies is a simple way to pay off war debts. But these taxes violate the principle of “no taxation without representation”. As a result of these taxes, protests have become common throughout the colonies.

For example, in March of 1770, a group of fellow colonists burned the British customs ship, The Gaspee, off the coast of Rhode Island. This event led to the already dwindling peace in New England breaking completely.

In the years following this event, the British have implemented yet another act upon us, this one called the Tea Act of 1773. This act prevents British ships from leaving the ports until all of the tea had been sold or if there was none left on the ship. So what did us colonists do about it? We tossed all the tea into the sea. Together, 50 of us disguised ourselves as Native Americans and snuck onto a British ship in the harbor, and dumped all of the remaining tea overboard.

The British were incredibly unhappy with our protests, so in retaliation the British Parliament passed the Coercive Acts. This closed the Boston Harbor, limited the power of our Massachusetts assembly, and forced us to quarter more British troops without giving us any pay. I only hope that sometime soon we will be free of this tyranny, as I fear our rights will only continue to slip away if we do not gain independence. These unjust conditions will also most likely continue to be motivators for us as we continue to protest against British control.

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I am a colonial merchant in Boston who has traded British goods for years, and I have seen our city fall into chaos. To me the Stamp Act, is a fair tax to help pay for Britain's protection during he French and Indian War. But instead, we have riots and threats. The Boston Massacre was tragic, but the mob provoked the soldiers, the truth is not just that innocent people were murdered. The Tea Party was a disgrace, destroying valuable tea and hurt loyal merchants like me, I lost business, had my shop vandalized, and now I am in fear to speak out. I'm not an enemy to the colonists, but I just fear that rebellion will bring ruin, not freedom. However, I still hope for peace and reform under British law.

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As British officials we are very angry with the American colonists and their actions. The Boston Tea Party was outrages and a sign of ungovernability. They made it very clear that they don't respect out power and we see this as a challenge to British control. We thought the colonist would understand that taxes, such as the Stamp Act where made to protect them. The Boston Massacre, was entirely at the fault of the American colonist and is not nearly as big of an issue as being made out to be. Colonist bothered our soldiers and they only defended themselves. We want to keep things calm in the colonies and believe they would be better off with us in charge.

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My fellow Americans,

Arriving in these lands as a youth, looking to expand opportunities and improve life, the situation found a nation under the hegemony of British rule. The growing disparity between British imperial aspirations and developing desires for colonial liberty were witnessed firsthand. The Stamp Act of 1765, though later repealed, offered Parliament's intention to tax but not represent. The colonists, who were used to governing themselves and their finances, viewed this as an attack on freedoms. The British remembered, or consciously ignored, colonial tribulations. The colonists saw this as an economic hardship as well as a transparent encroachment on freedom. It made it feel to many like they had been unfairly treated and determined to fight back. Early writings, such as "A Full Vindication of the Measures of Congress," vehemently stated that Parliament's actions were "subversive of our natural liberty." The deep conviction that liberty was "the greatest of terrestrial blessings," and Americans were "co-heirs of liberty with [the British]" existed as well.

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Greetings my loyal servants, It is I, your imperial majesty, King George III. I have come to hear about the recent events in the New World, and I must say that it is revolting to say the least. In such instances such as your Boston Tea Party, Stamp Act, and Boston Massacre, they are deliberate acts that are insulting my majesty. As my subjects, for you to have the gall to dump tea from Great Britain on December 16, 1773 is outrageous. The Sons of Liberty believed that the Tea Act of 1773 was an assertion of British authority over the colonists, and acted out by dumping the tea, and taking a step towards independence. However, in response, I declare the Coercive Acts will be supported by I, in order to remind you colonists of why you must submit to British rule. The merchants of America appear to be in great disapproval of the Stamp Act, believing it is unfair. While I do believe that the Stamp Act is England's right to tax, as of now I will support the repeal of the act in part to widespread colonial protests and the impact on British trade. The Act was officially repealed on March 18, 1766. I do hope that I will not come to regret it (He did). As for the Boston “Massacre” on March 5, 1770, while it is indeed regrettable that there were casualties of the event, it seems as though you colonists are much of the reason the event took place. The American colonists may see to it that the narrative that the British were the driving force of the incident due to aggression of some sort, but you all serve under my, and Britain's rule that you cannot escape. This unruly behavior if continued will be seen as a rebellion towards the crown of Great Britain.

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After the French and Indian War, the British government implemented a number of taxes on us American colonists in order to pay off their debt. On the night of December 16, 1773, I joined the Sons of Liberty. We disguised ourselves as Native Americans in order to hide our identities and went to Griffin’s Wharf. Additionally, there were three British ships docked, carrying tea. The Tea Act of 1773, to me, wasn’t just about lowering the price of tea, it was about Parliament thinking they had a right to tax us. It violates our rights, and as the we Americans always say: “ no taxation without representation.” Parliament continued to pass laws that disregarded us of our rights, despite not having a voice to say otherwise. In response to this, We boarded the ships quietly and threw 342 crates into the harbor. It was the most thrilling thing I have ever done but if it was for my rights it was worth it. We made sure not a single crate was left. I know the King will be furious but if we do not stand now, we will never get our rights. We will continue to fight in order to not be under British control anymore, and if the British decide war is the answer, we will be ready.

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We are the sons of liberty who have dealt with the British for too long. Everything was fine in the colonies when we were self-governing up until the French and Indian war when the British raised taxes in order to pay for it. They say that they're protecting us and well that may be true. To some extent we know the taxes are too high. Then in 1965 the British started the stamp act which taxed paper which by no means was ideal. Furthermore, in 1765 the British implemented the town state act which taxed simple things like paint paper, lead, and tea. I can't keep up with all the taxes my family needs the money and they depend on me. We believe that the British have no right to tax us in the colonies as we have no representation in Parliament. We believe that colonists should have the same rights as Englishmen. Then we try to strike against them. First we started boycotting British goods by not buying from the British. We also organized rallies and protested in order to get representation in the colonies. When our efforts didn't work we resorted to the Boston tea party. In 1773 a group of us got together, dressed up like Native Americans, and threw all the British tea in the Boston Harbor. This was our final act of rebellion before the war. We will not tolerate the British any longer. A revolution is coming.

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I stood near the crowd as their fury got larger, their voices echoing through Boston’s narrow streets. The Sons of Liberty had burned many British officials' houses by nightfall but they weren't finished and stormed others property, tearing down walls and setting more fire to symbols of British oppression. As a dockworker and a free Black man, I knew the risk of rebellion but I also knew the feeling of injustice. Watching the flames rise, I felt the colony’s anger become my own, a spark that would soon ignite revolution. The moment I heard about the new act about being taxed without representation we all agreed it was unjust.  We didn’t want to resort to violence but we knew that we had to do something. So we stormed the streets of Boston to show the British we cannot be taxed without representation. Once we arrived at Boston British soldiers appeared on the streets to enforce their corrupt laws made by the British Parliament. Suddenly a crowd of men and boys decided to help us drive the soldiers out of the city.  I stirred my followers up by making a speech in which he urged them to get rid of the soldiers right away. I shouted “Kill him, Kill him”.  My followers  threw snow balls at the British soldiers but not just snow balls, it was whatever my followers could get their hands on. I shouted again “ Don’t be afraid of these soldiers” . “They don't dare to fire upon us” I shouted once more. I raise my arm to attack their Captain Preston. My attack fell short, their Captain told their soldiers to fire. Everything went dark, I saw my blood and I began to black out. The first blood spilled for independence and for the Boston Massacre was shed by a colored man. I died and shortly after 3 other men fell soon after this happened at the Boston Massacre.

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We are the Sons of Liberty. When Parliament imposed the Stamp Act of 1765, we knew it was an attack on our liberty. They taxed us without our consent, treating us like slaves rather than free men. We protested relentlessly and hung effigies of tax collectors, forcing them to resign. Later, due to our persistent efforts, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act. In 1770, the Boston Massacre erupted. The British soldiers, sent by the King to surveil us, shot five of our innocent men. They claimed this blatant murder was self-defense. Their deaths were proof that the King tends to rule us through fear. We struck back defiantly in 1773. During this time, Parliament implemented the Tea Act. This granted the East India Company a monopoly on the tea trade in the colonies, forcing us to buy tea solely from them. Angered by the repeated taxation without representation, we dressed as Mohawks and threw the tea into the Boston Harbour. We don’t wish to cause issues in and of itself. Our only wish is true freedom from the King’s rule, to govern ourselves, as free men should.

Cites:

William D. Cooper, "the destruction of tea at Boston Harbor", 1799, engraved

Massachusetts Historical Society-– resources in the Sons of Liberty

https://www.masshist.org/revolution/sons_of_liberty.php

Smithsonian Magazine – “The True Story of the Boston Tea Party”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-boston-tea-party-180959450/

Library of Congress – “The Boston Tea Party”

https://www.loc.gov/item/02002977/

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Colonists opinion of the Boston Massacre

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Colonists opinion of the Boston Massacre

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The Boston Massacre is outright abhorrent.  If the British think they have the right to murder us in the streets, then they might start opening fire at the drop of a hat!  We are all sick of the British trying to control and apply unfair penalties to the colonies, it is time for a change.  Us colonists need to unite against unfair British taxation, law, and penalties.