John Adams

He is one of the characters who plays an important role in the American RevolutionBorn on October 30, of 1735 in Massachusetts. Said to be a descendent of a puritian family. One of his six children, John Quincy, later becamed the sixth president of the United States following his trace. His wife, Abigail Smith supported him and even involucrated with politics. In his early years his was a farmer and served the militia before getting involved in politics. Through history he is well seen many times. Even his small efforts, for example when he deffended the soldiers who killed five persons in the Boston Massacre on March of 1770. He wanted all the britishs and colonist to have fair trials. Also was included in both Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775 as delegate from Massachusetts. 

Nominated George Washington to be president of the United States of America after the Revolutionary War thinking South and North would agree with it. He assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and helped getting peace from Britain. In 1780 he wrote the Massachusetts Constitution. He was also the second president, after George Washington in 1796 winning with a difference of 3 votes only. He had Thomas Jefferson as his vice president but on that time the election system was different. The person with more votes was elected as the president and the second with more voted as the vice president.  

Adams was tried for re-election but this time lost with Thomas Jefferson. Later fixed his friendship with Jefferson. Then camed the Alien and Sedition Acts passed in John Adams government in 1798. These acts were not liked because it lead to arrests. Then Jefferson and James Madison wrote the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions against them. This were repeled because it didn´t work. It is said that the Alien and Sedition Acts made him loose his re-election. Adams died in Quincy, Massachusetts on the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, on July 4, of 1826 at his home. They say his last words were "Thomas Jefferson survives".

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy".

Thomas Jefferson

Born on April 13, of 1743. Grew up in Virginia and learned Greek, Latin and French. Later he studied law with George Wythe, the first American law professor. Jefferson served in the House of Burgesses for about 5 years. Did not like Britain's actions and was part of the Committee of Correspondence. Also was a member of the Continental Congress and through the years becamed a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He was the Governor of Virginia during part of the Revolutionary War. When being a member of the second Continental Congress, he wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was sent to France as a minister after the war.

In 1800, Jefferson was the Republican candidate that ran against John Adams for who he had worked as Vice President. Later he came out as a candidate againts Burr and tied in the electoral vote which created a lot of controversy. Jefferson won 10 of 14 states in U.S.A. Jefferson was renominated 1804 but this time with George Clinton as his Vice President going against Charles Pinckney. For his fortune Jefferson could woned easily receiving 162 electoral votes and Pinckney's 14, the difference as seen is very remarkable.

Jefferson also bought Louisiana territory from France for $15 millions considered of great importance in his administration. In 1807 he signed the Embargo Act that stopped them from exporting and importing goods. Thomas thought this would have the effect of hurting the trade in France and Great Britain but for his misfortune it hurted the American trade specially. He died on the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in July 4, of 1826. Rarely, this was the same day as John Adams. What an strange coincidence.
 

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny, when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

The battle of Lexington and Concord 

In April 19, of 1775, General Thomas Gage sent troops to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. This was because he found out they had their arms stockpiled. When this happened they could not capture both of them because a friend of theirs, Paul Revere had come in horse and warned them of what was coming so they left. The troops Thomas sent, took the arms. Later after the fight the british found out they had escaped.

Militia are full time farmers and part time soldiers. At the time of the battle these gathered at Lexington Green and were ready for war. 

There also were the minute men who were ready to fight in about a minute, this was a great dissavantage for the enemies because they had more time to put thereself in a good position to attack. In terms of being ready is to be changed, with weapons and a mentality to attack strongly. They were told to leave but, a shot was fired. It is very important to understand what happened with this shot.Ralph Waldo Emerson was a famous poet who called the Battle of Lexington the shot heard around the world. Ever heard about the shot that the entire world heard? Well, this one is it. Not because the entire world heard it, but because of the reaction it caused. When the Militia heard the shot, the war began.  

At the end of the day, those who lost were the british cause they lost about 200 men. The Minute Men, who were Americans that had that nickname because of their ability to fight in a minute, were very helpful. They were waiting at Lexington Green to attack. When the shot was fired, which by the way is unknown by whom, the British troops and the Minutemen began to fight. The battles of Lexington had taken away a lot of lives, from the British, and from the colonists as well. There is a memorial of the Minutemen at Concord, Massachusetts for the big gesture of loyalty towards their country.

Declaring Independence

The United States of America celebrates its Independence day the 4th of July.
But, before that day things were not quite pretty as they are today. Back in 1776, colonists decided they wanted a Republican Government, and to unite the colonies. the Declaration of Independence was mostly written by Thomas Paine, who wrote a book called ''Common Sense'' in which he talked about 3 basic points. In this book, he would refer to the King as being parasites, and opened a lot of people's eyes.

The 3 main points Thomas established in his book were:
1. Declare Independence from England
2. Make a Republican-State Government
3. A union of the 13 states into ONE country (by referring to the 13 colonies using the word ''states'')

Thomas Paine could be considered as a hero today. For he declared that the King was the enemy and that one day, to fight for freedom would be the cause of all men kind.
He was the one who stood out and believed they HAD to be independent. Independent from paying unfair taxes, from following the King's orders, and from all the fighting, killing and sorrow this caused. They just wanted to get rid of Britain and make a country with new government systems. 

One year before this happened, the congress sent ''Olive Branch Petition'' to the king. What they wanted to accomplish by sending this, was peace. Anyone would put themselves on their position, and even in the King's position, and accept it. And even though accepting it was the wisest thing to do; the King rejected it. Not only he rejected the Olive Branch Petition, but he made sure that some troops would go and attack America.

 Leaders Organize Boycott

In order to control protest activities, 9 colonies showed up in the Stamp Act in October 1769 held in New York City and they all sent their representatives.
Members on the congress did a consumer's boycott of all the goods imported from Britain.
This was also called the ''non-importation agreement'', and it really threatened the British Industry.
colonists found their way to protest the British taxes.

There were 3 tactics the Colonists used in order to protest;

1- Intellectually, Patrick Henry wrote an essay called ''Virginia Resolves'' in which he quoted the following: ''GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH'' and this helped the colonists

2- Economically, they made the non-importation agreements

3- Violently, the colonists tortured the tax collectors and made them fear.